Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong (Foul Lady Fortune book 1)

 

SPOILER ALERT! Even though this is the start of a new series, it does pick up four years after the conclusion to Our Violent Ends.

Check out the Riveted blog for recaps of both These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends.

“It’s 1931 in Shanghai, and the stage is set for a new decade of intrigue.

Four years ago, Rosalind Lang was brought back from the brink of death, but the strange experiment that saved her also stopped her from sleeping and aging—and allows her to heal from any wound. In short, Rosalind cannot die. Now, desperate for redemption from her traitorous past, she uses her abilities as an assassin for her country.

Code name: Fortune.

But when the Japanese Imperial Army begins its invasion march, Rosalind’s mission pivots. A series of murders is causing unrest in Shanghai, and the Japanese are under suspicion. Rosalind’s new orders are to infiltrate foreign society and identify the culprits behind the terror plot before more of her people are killed.

To reduce suspicion, however, she must pose as the wife of another Nationalist spy, Orion Hong, and though Rosalind finds Orion’s cavalier attitude and playboy demeanor infuriating, she is willing to work with him for the greater good. But Orion has an agenda of his own, and Rosalind has secrets that she wants to keep buried. As they both attempt to unravel the conspiracy, the two spies soon find that there are deeper and more horrifying layers to this mystery than they ever imagined.” - taken from Goodreads.

An exciting, heart-pounding story that finds Rosalind Lang four years after the conclusion of Our Violent Ends. Now a spy and assassin, she must work under cover with a fellow spy to discover a secret that could change the course of China. With secrets of her own, Rosalind will find that the mystery goes much deeper than anyone ever imagined. Appearances by characters from the former duology help drive the story forward.

Book two is expected to be published in September of 2023.

Visit Chloe Gong’s website.

The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones

 

“Seventeen-year-old Aderyn ("Ryn") only cares about two things: her family, and her family's graveyard. And right now, both are in dire straits. Since the death of their parents, Ryn and her siblings have been scraping together a meager existence as gravediggers in the remote village of Colbren, which sits at the foot of a harsh and deadly mountain range that was once home to the fae. The problem with being a gravedigger in Colbren, though, is that the dead don't always stay dead.

The risen corpses are known as "bone houses," and legend says that they're the result of a decades-old curse. When Ellis, an apprentice mapmaker with a mysterious past, arrives in town, the bone houses attack with new ferocity. What is it that draws them near? And more importantly, how can they be stopped for good?

Together, Ellis and Ryn embark on a journey that will take them deep into the heart of the mountains, where they will have to face both the curse and the long-hidden truths about themselves.” - taken from Goodreads.

Aderyn is a gravedigger. When the bone houses (the risen dead) begin to leave the supposedly cursed forest and terrorize her small community, she knows that she must do something. When the mysterious Ellis, an apprentice mapmaker, arrived and wishes for Ryn to guide him through the forest oh, she jumps at the chance to save our family home. A spellbinding tale, Ren and Ellis attempt to break the curse of the bone houses and solve the Mysteries that haunt their lives 

Visit Emily Lloyd-Jones’s website.

These Deadly Games by Diana Urban

 

“Let’s play a game.

You have 24 hours to win. If you break my rules, she dies. If you call the police, she dies. If you tell your parents or anyone else, she dies.

Are you ready?

When Crystal Donavan gets a message on a mysterious app with a video of her little sister gagged and bound, she agrees to play the kidnapper’s game. At first, they make her complete bizarre tasks: steal a test and stuff it in a locker, bake brownies, make a prank call.

But then Crystal realizes each task is meant to hurt—and kill—her friends, one by one. But if she refuses to play, the kidnapper will kill her sister. Is someone trying to take her team out of the running for a gaming tournament? Or have they uncovered a secret from their past, and wants them to pay for what they did…

As Crystal makes the impossible choices between her friends and her sister, she must uncover the truth and find a way to outplay the kidnapper… before it’s too late.” - taken from Goodreads.

Another great Diana Urban mystery where the reader will question the actions of our main character. How far will Crystal go to save her little sister in a deadly game of choice? 

I always had the real culprit in the back of my mind even when the author kept me second guessing myself. Crystal’s torturer was a complete shock as was that ending reveal. 

Visit Diana Urban’s website.

A Psalm of Storms and Silence by Roseanne A. Brown (A Song of Wraiths and Ruin book 2)

 

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

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

“Karina lost everything after a violent coup left her without her kingdom or her throne. Now the most wanted person in Sonande, her only hope of reclaiming what is rightfully hers lies in a divine power hidden in the long-lost city of her ancestors.

Meanwhile, the resurrection of Karina’s sister has spiraled the world into chaos, with disaster after disaster threatening the hard-won peace Malik has found as Farid’s apprentice. When they discover that Karina herself is the key to restoring balance, Malik must use his magic to lure her back to their side. But how do you regain the trust of someone you once tried to kill?

As the fabric holding Sonande together begins to tear, Malik and Karina once again find themselves torn between their duties and their desires. And when the fate of everything hangs on a single, horrifying choice, they each must decide what they value most—a power that could transform the world, or a love that could transform their lives.” - taken from Goodreads.

Boy was this book a whopper. Lots of secrets and connections are made as to the characters and their backstories are well-developed. This was a bit of a slow read all the bulk of the action comes at the end. Both Malik and Karina find their paths. In the end, things weren't quite what I expected but satisfying nonetheless.

Visit Roseanne A. Brown’s website.

The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman (The Ivory Key duology book 1)

“Vira is desperate to get out of her mother’s shadow and establish her legacy as a revered queen of Ashoka. But with the country’s only quarry running out of magic–a precious resource that has kept Ashoka safe from conflict–she can barely protect her citizens from the looming threat of war. And if her enemies discover this, they’ll stop at nothing to seize the last of the magic.

Vira’s only hope is to find a mysterious object of legend: the Ivory Key, rumored to unlock a new source of magic. But in order to infiltrate enemy territory and retrieve it, she must reunite with her siblings, torn apart by the different paths their lives have taken. Each of them has something to gain from finding the Ivory Key–and even more to lose if they fail. Ronak plans to sell it to the highest bidder in exchange for escape from his impending political marriage. Kaleb, falsely accused of assassinating the former maharani needs it to clear his name. And Riya, a runaway who cut all family ties, wants the Key to prove her loyalty to the rebels who want to strip the nobility of its power.

They must work together to survive the treacherous journey. But with each sibling harboring secrets and their own agendas, the very thing that brought them together could tear apart their family–and their world–for good.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I loved this Indian-inspired fantasy of four siblings who have been torn apart by their royal legacies and the death of their parents. Each is looking for an escape from the demands of their lives. When a troubling secret is uncovered, these four must band together to solve the problem of waning magic before war breaks out once again.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable book with a devastating ending that will leave readers hanging.

The story concludes with The Crimson Fortress, in 2023.

Visit Akshaya Raman’s website.

The Great Destroyers by Caroline Tung Richmond

“The Hunger Games meets Pacific Rim, set in the 1960s Cold War.

Jo Linden grew up in a world where wars are won with the use of giant mechanical soldiers and the nuclear bomb was never invented. Yet the Cold War still rages. Only now international rivalries between democracy and communism play out at the Pax Games, an Olympic-style competition that pits young pilots of mecha soldiers against each other. The USSR's beaten the US in every game since its inception, and in the 1963 games, the US is desperate for a win. Because it's more than just the Games at stake here. Premier Khrushchev will be attending, and after he and President Kennedy are slated to sign a peace accord stabilizing the war in Vietnam-and their relationship.

Raised in her father's mecha repair shop, Jo knows more than anyone about the awesome machines and piloting. She's also the most unlikely pick for Team USA since she's a virtually unknown fighter. So when Jo is invited at the last minute to compete, she jumps at it. This could be the last chance to save her family's home from debt collectors. When Jo arrives in DC for the Games, all eyes on her. But she's got secrets of her own. Secrets that could get her kicked out the Games-and cost her family everything-if anyone found out. As competitors start dying in the arena, it's suddenly clear that it's more than the usual Pax Games, and Jo finds herself drawn into a deadly political plot with the very stake of freedom at its center.

In a global chess match between superpowers, playing out in violent games that only humanity could create, comes a terrifying story of clashing titans, deadly competition, patriotism, and the girl caught in the middle of it all.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Welcome to 1963 where World War II was won with mecha (giant robots controlled by humans) and the atomic bomb wasn't invented. The Cold War still rages and Communism and Democracy are at odds. Every four years, countries enter their best and brightest mecha drivers into the Pax Games. With the games being held in the U.S. and a possible peace agreement between Kennedy and Khrushchev, the U.S. is desperate to best the Soviets in the games.

When Jo Linden, a relatively unknown mecha pilot is tapped to replace an injured competitor, her world is turned upside down when she arrives on the international stage in a sport where few females compete. Up against the best in the world, Jo and finds herself in the middle of a political storm where someone is trying to frame her for poisoning her rivals. Can Jo uncover the culprit before war breaks out?

This is the perfect read for fans of Ryan Graudin’s Wolf By Wolf.

Visit Caroline Tung Richmond’s website.

 

Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare (The Lost Hours book 2, Shadowhunters book 14)

SPOILER POTENTIAL! This is the second book in this series. Please stop if you haven’t read the first book, Chain of Gold.

“Cordelia Carstairs seems to have everything she ever wanted. She’s engaged to marry James Herondale, the boy she has loved since childhood. She has a new life in London with her best friend Lucie Herondale and James’s charming companions, the Merry Thieves. She is about to be reunited with her beloved father. And she bears the sword Cortana, a legendary hero’s blade.

But the truth is far grimmer. James and Cordelia’s marriage is a lie, arranged to save Cordelia’s reputation. James is in love with the mysterious Grace Blackthorn whose brother, Jesse, died years ago in a terrible accident. Cortana burns Cordelia’s hand when she touches it, while her father has grown bitter and angry. And a serial murderer is targeting the Shadowhunters of London, killing under cover of darkness, then vanishing without a trace.

Together with the Merry Thieves, Cordelia, James, and Lucie must follow the trail of the knife-wielding killer through the city’s most dangerous streets. All the while, each is keeping a shocking secret: Lucie, that she plans to raise Jesse from the dead; Cordelia, that she has sworn a dangerous oath of loyalty to a mysterious power; and James, that he is being drawn further each night into the dark web of his grandfather, the arch-demon Belial. And that he himself may be the killer they seek.” - taken from Goodreads.com

OMG! I don’t know how Ms. Clare continues to draw me into the Shadowhunters’ realm without getting bored. This book was so incredible that I couldn’t wait to get to the end yet never wanted the story to stop. And that ending is a killer cliffhanger! One year is going to be a terrible wait.

Book three, Chain of Thorns, is expected in March of 2022.

Visit Cassandra Clare’s website.
Visit Shadowhunters.com

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.
Visit Shadowhunters.com

Children of Blood & Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (Legacy of Orïsha book 1)

“They killed my mother.

They took our magic.

They tried to bury us.

Now we rise.

Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.

But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.

Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers and her growing feelings for an enemy.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I had put off reading this book for a while but with book two coming out, I jumped right into the audio version. This was a fantastic listen and once again Bahni Turpin proves why she is one of my favorite audiobook narrators. Tomi Adeyemi weaves an incredible magical fantasy that finds the magic of Orisha diminished by the brutal slaying of the maji by the dominating King Saran. On an unlikely quest to restore the power of the Diviners, Zelie, her brother Tzain and the escaped princess Amari, journey through Orisha while being tracked by the Crown Prince Inan. There is never a dull moment in this action-packed story.

Book two, Children of Virtue & Vengeance is due out Dec. 3, 2019.

Visit Tomi Adeyemi's website.

Save the Date by Morgan Matson

“Charlie Grant's older sister is getting married this weekend at their family home, and Charlie can't wait for the first time in years, all four of her older siblings will be under one roof. Charlie is desperate for one last perfect weekend, before the house is sold and everything changes. The house will be filled with jokes and games and laughs again. Making decisions about things like what college to attend and reuniting with longstanding crush Jesse Foster all that can wait. She wants to focus on making the weekend perfect.

The only problem? The weekend is shaping up to be an absolute disaster. There's the unexpected dog with a penchant for howling, house alarm that won't stop going off, and a papergirl with a grudge.

There are the relatives who aren't speaking, the (awful) girl her favorite brother brought home unannounced, and a missing tuxedo. Not to mention the neighbor who seems to be bent on sabotage and a storm that is bent on drenching everything. The justice of the peace is missing. The band will only play covers. The guests are all crazy. And the wedding planner's nephew is unexpectedly, distractedly cute.

Over the course of three ridiculously chaotic days, Charlie will learn more than she ever expected about the family she thought she knew by heart. And she'll realize that sometimes, trying to keep everything like it was in the past means missing out on the future.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This book is completely different from any other Morgan Matson book I read before. Don't go in expecting a cute Romance. The story of the grant family takes place over three very hectic and chaotic days. Charlie, the youngest of the five Grant children, is excited for her family to be together for one last weekend at her older sister's wedding and her mother's retirement before their house is sold. Mrs. Grant is a famous cartoon has to strip is based on her family.

What makes this book great is the fact that everything that could go wrong does, and how the Grant family weathers the impending storms.

Visit Morgan Matson’s website.

Eden Conquered by Joelle Charbonneau (Dividing Eden book 2)

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

“The Trials of Virtuous Succession have ended. Prince Andreus is king—and Princess Carys is dead.

But even as he’s haunted by what he did to win the throne, Andreus discovers that his dream of ruling only brings new problems. The people love his twin even more in death than they did when she was alive. The Elders treat him as a figurehead. And worst of all, the winds of Eden are faltering. 

But despite what everyone believes, Carys is alive. Exiled to the wilderness, Carys struggles to control the powers that have broken free inside her. And as she grows stronger, so does her conviction that she must return to the Palace of Winds, face her twin and root out the treachery that began long before the first Trials started. 

The Kingdom of Eden is growing darker with each passing day. Brother and sister, former foes, must decide whether some betrayals cut too deep to be forgiven—and whether one will wear the crown or both will lose everything.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This book picks up immediately following the ending of Dividing Eden. Andreus is now King of Eden and everyone believes his twin Carys is dead. Carys is actually on the run and as the days pass, her newly discovered powers grow. As both Andreus and Carys uncover the deception of everyone around them, the must learn who they can trust. With a shocking revelation and an ending I wasn’t expecting, this was a satisfying conclusion to the story.

Visit Joelle Charbonneau’s website.

Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen McManus

“Echo Ridge is small-town America. Ellery's never been there, but she's heard all about it. Her aunt went missing there at age seventeen. And only five years ago, a homecoming queen put the town on the map when she was killed. Now Ellery has to move there to live with a grandmother she barely knows.

The town is picture-perfect, but it's hiding secrets. And before school even begins for Ellery, someone's declared open season on homecoming, promising to make it as dangerous as it was five years ago. Then, almost as if to prove it, another girl goes missing.

Ellery knows all about secrets. Her mother has them; her grandmother does too. And the longer she's in Echo Ridge, the clearer it becomes that everyone there is hiding something. The thing is, secrets are dangerous--and most people aren't good at keeping them. Which is why in Echo Ridge, it's safest to keep your secrets to yourself.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I loved the author’s first book, One of Us is Lying, but her sophomore novel absolutely blew me away. Ellery Corcoran is a true crime fanatic in part to her mother’s twin sister’s disappearance during their senior year homecoming dance. With their mother now in rehab in California, Ellery and her twin Ezra move across the country to live with their Nana in Echo Ridge, a small town full of secrets. With multiple stories and layers of mysteries to be solved, readers will be gripping tightly to their books well after the last line is read.

Visit Karen M. McManus’s website.

A Reaper at the Gate by Sabaa Tahir (Ember Quartet book 3)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two books in the quartet, An Ember in the Ashes and A Torch Against the Night, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

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

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

“Beyond the Empire and within it, the threat of war looms ever larger.

The Blood Shrike, Helene Aquilla, is assailed on all sides. Emperor Marcus, haunted by his past, grows increasingly unstable, while the Commandant capitalizes on his madness to bolster her own power. As Helene searches for a way to hold back the approaching darkness, her sister's life and the lives of all those in the Empire hang in the balance.

Far to the east, Laia of Serra knows the fate of the world lies not in the machinations of the Martial court, but in stopping the Nightbringer. But while hunting for a way to bring him down, Laia faces unexpected threats from those she hoped would aid her, and is drawn into a battle she never thought she'd have to fight.

And in the land between the living and the dead, Elias Veturius has given up his freedom to serve as Soul Catcher. But in doing so, he has vowed himself to an ancient power that will stop at nothing to ensure Elias's devotion–even at the cost of his humanity.” - take from Goodreads.com 

The only good reason I can find about not reading this book sooner is that I now have seven fewer months to wait for the conclusion. WOW! To try and keep this spoiler free, I’m not going into a lot of details. Some of the events that transpire, you knew had to happen but others were complete jaw-droppers. One event, in particular, left me speechless. (Oh, how I wish I had someone to talk to about it.) The ending with its wicked plot twists to set up the final book will leave readers eager for the final book.

The final book in the quartet is expected to be published in 2020.

Visit Sabaa Tahir’s website.

Smoke in the Sun by Renee Adhieh (Flame in the Mist book 2)

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

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

“For weeks, seventeen-year-old Mariko pretended to be a boy to infiltrate the notorious Black Clan and bring her would-be murderer to justice. She didn't expect to find a place for herself among the group of fighters—a life of usefulness—and she certainly didn't expect to fall in love. Now she heads to the imperial castle to resume a life she never wanted to save the boy she loves.

Ōkami has been captured, and his execution is a certainty. Mariko will do what she must to ensure his survival—even marry the sovereign's brother, saying goodbye to a life with Ōkami forever.

As Mariko settles into her days at court—making both friends and enemies—and attempting Ōkami's rescue at night, the secrets of the royal court begin to unravel as competing agendas collide. One arrow sets into motion a series of deadly events even the most powerful magic cannot contain. Mariko and Ōkami risk everything to right past wrongs and restore the honor of a kingdom thrown into chaos by a sudden war, hoping against hope that when the dust settles, they will find a way to be together.

Set against the backdrop of feudal Japan, Smoke in the Sun is the breathless, romantic, not-to-be-missed fiery conclusion to a spell-binding adventure.” taken from Goodreads.com

Picking up immediately where the first book left off, Mariko and Okami find themselves in the clutches of Emperor Roku. Mariko is desperate to free Okami, even if it means giving up her own chance at happiness. Finding herself in a rapidly escalating power struggle, she finds that sticking to her principles wins over the one person that matters. I did feel like the ending was wrapped up a little too neatly, but this is still an enjoyable read.

There are also two enovellas available that take place between the two books, Okami and Yumi that give a bit of insight into both of these characters’ minds between books one and two. 

Visit Renee Adhieh’s website.

Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo (DC Icons book 1)

“Daughter of immortals.

Princess Diana longs to prove herself to her legendary warrior sisters. But when the opportunity finally comes, she throws away her chance at glory and breaks Amazon law—risking exile—to save a mortal. Diana will soon learn that she has rescued no ordinary girl, and that with this single brave act, she may have doomed the world.

Daughter of death.

Alia Keralis just wanted to escape her overprotective brother with a semester at sea. She doesn’t know she is being hunted by people who think her very existence could spark a world war. When a bomb detonates aboard her ship, Alia is rescued by a mysterious girl of extraordinary strength and forced to confront a horrible truth: Alia is a Warbringer—a direct descendant of the infamous Helen of Troy, fated to bring about an age of bloodshed and misery.

Together.

Two girls will face an army of enemies—mortal and divine—determined to either destroy or possess the Warbringer. Tested beyond the bounds of their abilities, Diana and Alia must find a way to unleash hidden strengths and forge an unlikely alliance. Because if they have any hope of saving both their worlds, they will have to stand side by side against the tide of war.” - taken from Goodreads.com

First of all, if you have seen the movie, expect something completely different and for me that was great. A teenage Diana rescues a teenage girl when the ship she is on explodes. Once she brings Alia ashore on Themyscira, things for everyone go disastrously. Knowing she has broken the cardinal rule, Diana consults the Oracle about what she must do to rectify the situation. Alia is the Warbringer, a descendant of Helen of Troy. A Warbringer carries the death of the world. To save everyone, Diana must take Alia to the spring at Therapne to be purified and end the line of all Warbringers. If not, Armageddon will reign over the Earth.

Knowing what she must do to save everyone, Diana begins her hero's quest to the spring but Alai has other ideas and the two girls end of in modern day New York City.  For me, this is where the action and humor picked up for me. I adored the ending and cannot wait for Batman: Nightwalker.

Book two in the DC Icons series is Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu out January 2, 2018.

Visit Leigh Bardugo’s website.

Dividing Eden by Joelle Charbonneau (Dividing Eden book 1)

“Twins Carys and Andreus were never destined to rule Eden. With their older brother next in line to inherit the throne, the future of the kingdom was secure.

But appearances—and rivals—can be deceiving. When Eden’s king and crown prince are killed by assassins, Eden desperately needs a monarch, but the line of succession is no longer clear. With a ruling council scheming to gain power, Carys and Andreus are faced with only one option—to take part in a Trial of Succession that will determine which one of them is worthy of ruling the kingdom.

As sister and brother, Carys and Andreus have always kept each other safe—from their secrets, from the court, and from the monsters lurking in the mountains beyond the kingdom’s wall. But the Trial of Succession will test the bonds of trust and family.

With their country and their hearts divided, Carys and Andreus will discover exactly what each will do to win the crown. How long before suspicion takes hold and the thirst for power leads to the ultimate betrayal?” - taken from Goodreads.com

I loved the beginning of this duology. Mystery, action, and betrayal are throughout the story. Twins Andreus and Carys’ lives are turned upside down when their father the king and their older brother, the Crown Prince are murdered. To make matters worse, their mother is unable to take over the throw since she went mad over the deaths of her husband and oldest son. Both of the twins are hiding secrets from everyone that threatened to be revealed when they are pitted against each other in a competition to see which one will be the next ruler of Eden. As the competition moves forward, the twins are pulled apart.

A few questions are answered but plenty of mysteries are still left to be revealed.  Eden Conquered, the second and final book is expected to be published on June 12, 2018.

Queen Betrice’s backstory is revealed in an ebook novella, Into the Garden.

Visit Joelle Charbonneau’s website.

Lucky In Love by Kasie West

“Maddie doesn't believe in luck. She's all about hard work and planning ahead. But one night, on a whim, she buys a lottery ticket. And then, to her astonishment --

She wins!

In a flash, Maddie's life is unrecognizable. No more stressing about college scholarships. Suddenly, she's talking about renting a yacht. And being in the spotlight at school is fun... until rumors start flying, and random people ask her for loans. Now, Maddie isn't sure who she can trust.

Except for Seth Nguyen, her funny, charming coworker at the local zoo. Seth doesn't seem aware of Maddie's big news. And, for some reason, she doesn't want to tell him. But what will happen if he learns her secret?” - taken from Goodreads.com

I LOVE Kasie West’s book. The romance is always so sweet between the main characters. I don’t know if my problem was that I read a similar book about a female lottery winner from another one of my favorite romance writers, Jennifer E. Smith’s Windfall, just six weeks earlier but it did take me awhile to get into the groove of this book. Although both books are about how life changes after a major lottery win, Lucky In Love, is told from winner’s point of view as she deals with her sudden influx of money. Once I really got into the story, I just couldn’t put it down.

Visit Kasie West’s website.

Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh (Flame in the Mist book 1)

“The only daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has always known she’d been raised for one purpose and one purpose only: to marry. Never mind her cunning, which rivals that of her twin brother, Kenshin, or her skills as an accomplished alchemist. Since Mariko was not born a boy, her fate was sealed the moment she drew her first breath.

So, at just seventeen years old, Mariko is sent to the imperial palace to meet her betrothed, a man she did not choose, for the very first time. But the journey is cut short when Mariko’s convoy is viciously attacked by the Black Clan, a dangerous group of bandits who’ve been hired to kill Mariko before she reaches the palace.

The lone survivor, Mariko narrowly escapes to the woods, where she plots her revenge. Dressed as a peasant boy, she sets out to infiltrate the Black Clan and hunt down those responsible for the target on her back. Once she’s within their ranks, though, Mariko finds for the first time she’s appreciated for her intellect and abilities. She even finds herself falling in love—a love that will force her to question everything she’s ever known about her family, her purpose, and her deepest desires.“ - taken from Goodreads.com

Wow! I cannot believe that I didn't read this when it first came out. I loved everything about the story. Mariko wants to be seen as more than just a female in the male dominated society of feudal Japan. When her convoy to meet her betrothed is ambushed and she is the only survivor, Mariko sees her chance to break free from her family and find out for herself who wanted her dead. Meeting the Black Clan disguised as a boy, she is taken in as a possible recruit. As Mariko learns more about her family and society, she not only sees the truth about her family but finds that her heart has been taken. I cannot wait to see how it ends after that conclusion.

Visit Renee Adhieh’s website.

Legion by Julie Kagawa (Talon Saga book 4)

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

“Dragon hatchling Ember Hill was never prepared to find love at all--dragons do not suffer human emotions--let alone the love of a human and a former dragonslayer, at that. With ex-soldier Garret dying at her feet after sacrificing his freedom and his life to expose the deepest of betrayals, Ember knows only that nothing she was taught by dragon organization Talon is true. About humans, about rogue dragons, about herself and what she's capable of doing and feeling.

In the face of great loss, Ember vows to stand with rogue dragon Riley against the dragon-slaying Order of St. George and her own twin brother Dante--the heir apparent to all of Talon, and the boy who will soon unleash the greatest threat and terror dragonkind has ever known.

Talon is poised to take over the world, and the abominations they have created will soon take to the skies, darkening the world with the promise of blood and death to those who refuse to yield.” - taken from Goodreads.com

After the double cliffhanger of the last book, Soldier, readers will pick up the action immediately where it left off. Told from several points of view, fans of the Talon Saga will find out the mission of the Talon organization and Ember’s part in it. After another shocking but more satisfying ending, readers will be eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the story with Inferno in 2018.

Visit Julie Kagawa’s website.

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir (Ember in the Ashes book 2)

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

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

“A Torch Against the Night takes readers into the heart of the Empire as Laia and Elias fight their way north to liberate Laia’s brother from the horrors of Kauf Prison. Hunted by Empire soldiers, manipulated by the Commandant, and haunted by their pasts, Laia and Elias must outfox their enemies and confront the treacherousness of their own hearts.

In the city of Serra, Helene Aquilla finds herself bound to the will of the Empire’s twisted new leader, Marcus. When her loyalty is questioned, Helene finds herself taking on a mission to prove herself—a mission that might destroy her, instead.” - taken from Goodreads.com

A Torch Against the Night is told from three points of view, Laia, Elias and Helene. The action picks up immediately where An Ember in the Ashes left off. I don’t want to spoil any of the details but the action is non-stop. Adding Helene’s point of view to the story gave the reader deeper insight to all that is going on.

The story will be continued in book three due out in 2017.

Visit Sabaa Tahir’s website.