Cast in Firelight by Dana Swift (Wickery book 1)

 

“Adraa is the royal heir of Belwar, a talented witch on the cusp of taking her royal ceremony test, and a girl who just wants to prove her worth to her people.

Jatin is the royal heir to Naupure, a competitive wizard who's mastered all nine colors of magic, and a boy anxious to return home for the first time since he was a child.

Together, their arranged marriage will unite two of Wickery's most powerful kingdoms. But after years of rivalry from afar, Adraa and Jatin only agree on one thing: their reunion will be anything but sweet.

Only, destiny has other plans and with the criminal underbelly of Belwar suddenly making a move for control, their paths cross...and neither realizes who the other is, adopting separate secret identities instead.

Between dodging deathly spells and keeping their true selves hidden, the pair must learn to put their trust in the other if either is to uncover the real threat. Now Wickery's fate is in the hands of rivals..? Fiancées..? Partners..? Whatever they are, it's complicated and bound for greatness or destruction.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This was a great start to an incredible fantasy story. Two young royal heirs are arranged to be married and their first meeting isn't a smooth one. Nine years have passed with the occasional letter written between them. Neither is looking forward to the day when they will once again meet. When Jatin switches places with his guard and unknowingly meets his fiance Adraa, the two become intrigued by each other not knowing their true identities.

Working together to uncover the criminal underworld, the two begin to fall for one another as a threat to their kingdoms and their futures, looms large on the horizon. Eager fans will be left waiting for the final installment in this Indian-inspired fantasy. 

The story will conclude on January 18, 2022, with Bound by Firelight.

Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte

“One big lie. Two forbidden romances. Three days to catch a killer.”

“Seventeen-year-old Keralie Corrington may seem harmless, but in fact, she's one of Quadara's most skilled thieves and a liar. Varin, on the other hand, is an honest, upstanding citizen of Quadara's most enlightened region, Eonia. Varin runs afoul of Keralie when she steals a package from him, putting his life in danger. When Varin attempts to retrieve the package, he and Keralie find themselves entangled in a conspiracy that leaves all four of Quadara's queens dead.

With no other choices and on the run from Keralie's former employer, the two decide to join forces, endeavoring to discover who has killed the queens and save their own lives in the process. When their reluctant partnership blooms into a tenuous romance, they must overcome their own dark secrets in hopes of a future together that seemed impossible just days before. But first they have to stay alive and untangle the secrets behind the nation's four dead queens.” - taken from Goodreads.com 

This book has it all!! Royalty, lies, forbidden love with splashes of fantasy and science fiction into the mix. But what I enjoyed most about the story was the incredible mystery of who was assassinating the queens and why. I definitely didn’t see the plot twist coming and was completely shocked. This book an incredible read. 

Visit Astrid Scholte’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.

Eclipse the Skies by Maura Milan (Ignite the Stars book 2)

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

“Ia Cōcha never thought she’d be working for the Olympus Commonwealth. But that was before she found out her trusted brother Einn was trying to tear apart the universe. Now, Ia, the Blood Wolf of the Skies, has agreed to help the Royal Star Force on one condition: when she finds him, she gets to kill Einn herself.

Brinn Tarver has just come to terms with her Tawny identity when the public lashes out against her people, crushing her family. At her breaking point, she starts to question everything she believes in—including Ia.

After the death of his mentor, Knives Adams is doing his best to live up to a role he didn’t ask for as Aphelion’s new headmaster. Still, with each new step deeper into war, he feels torn between his duties and the pull of Ia’s radical—sometimes criminal—ideas.

As they fight to keep darkness from eclipsing the skies, their unpredictable choices launch this breathtaking sequel to explosive new heights.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I loved the first book in this duology so much that I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second one. I don't know what it is about the subgenre, but I have really enjoyed reading “Space Opera” books. After seeing some of the reviews for this title on Goodreads, I was leery to finish the story because of the possible ending that had been foretold. I even did something I usually don't do and read the last three chapters to see if my fears were true. Fortunately, this book was the perfect conclusion to the story. Our characters really grew throughout the course of this final book. My only regret is that my time with these characters was so short. I cannot wait to see what this author writes next. 

Visit Maura Milan’s website.

Legendary by Stephanie Garber (Caraval book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Caraval, 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 heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval...the games have only just begun.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Book one, Caraval, begins our story with the adventures of Scarlett Dragna and her playing the game of Caraval. Legendary picks up immediately following the end of the first book. Readers will remember that book one concluded with a letter to Donatella sent to her by “A Friend. “ This letter's contents and the bargain Tella owes make up the storyline of Legendary. With more mysteries, shocking revelations, and a cliffhanger ending, I'm glad that I waited a year to finally read this book so that I am able to jump right into the third and final book, Finale.

Visit Stephanie Garber’s website.

Ignite the Stars by Maura Milan (Ignite the Stars book 1)

¨Keep your enemies close¨

“Everyone in the universe knows his name. Everyone in the universe fears him. But no one realizes that notorious outlaw Ia Cocha is a seventeen-year-old girl.

A criminal mastermind and unrivaled pilot, Ia has spent her life terrorizing the Olympus Commonwealth, the imperialist nation that destroyed her home. When the Commonwealth captures her and her true identity is exposed, they see Ia’s age and talent as an opportunity: by forcing her to serve them, they will prove that no one is beyond their control.

Soon, Ia is trapped at the Commonwealth’s military academy, desperately plotting her escape. But new acquaintances—including Brinn, a seemingly average student with a closely-held secret, and their charming Flight Master, Knives—cause Ia to question her own alliances. Can she find a way to escape the Commonwealth’s clutches before these bonds deepen?” - taken from Goodreads.com

OMG! I don't know what it is about a strong-willed but flawed female main character with a space setting, but those books are becoming my new fav of mine. Told from three different POV, readers are quickly immersed into the life of Ia Cocha, Brinn Tarver and Knives at a prestigious military academy where the Commonwealth sentences Cocha for her crimes. The generals reasoning is who better to fight are the Commonwealth when it's most notorious criminal is only a 17-year-old girl. Loved where this story took our three heroes on separate but intertwined soul-searching journeys to reach that climactic conclusion.

Not exactly a cliffhanger but I'm super excited to see where these three characters go next.

Book two, Explore the Skies, is to out on September 9th, 2019. 

Visit Maura Milan’s website.

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.

The Unwind Dystology by Neal Shusterman

Unwind - Book One

Here is the link to one of my very first blog reviews I wrote for Unwind way back in March 2010. At the time, Unwind was a stand alone title. There were no plans at the time to expand the world into the now completed four book series.

UnWholly - Book Two

SPOILER ALERT! Please don’t read any further if you haven’t read the first book in the dystology, Unwind. I wouldn’t want to ruin the story for you.

Since the high profile revolt at the Happy Jack Harvest Camp led by Connor Lassiter, Risa Ward and Lev Calder, unwinding has moved to the forefront of society. It is something that can no longer be ignored. In fact, a ban has been put in place that seventeen-year-olds can no longer be unwound. Body parts are now becoming scarce. Connor is in charge of the Graveyard since the death of the admiral while Risa works medical detail. Things are tough for Conner, always wondering when the Juvenile Authority is going to decide to take over and if the ADR (Anti-Divisional Resistance) will come through with much needed supplies. There is discontent brewing through the Graveyard with the arrival of a new AWOL.

Mason Michael Starkey was storked or abandoned on a doorstep. Never really wanted by his adoptive parents, he has been bullied his entire life. The kids all call him Storky and he stays in trouble. Always knowing the day would probably come, Starkey has always made several plans to escape. The Akron AWOL is his hero. When the juvey-cops come in the middle of the night to take him to be unwound, he eventually makes his escape. Starkey is later found by the Anti-Divisional Resistance and taken to the Graveyard. There, he finally meets face-to-face with the Akron AWOL and Starkey is not impressed by Connor.

Camus Comprix or Cam is literally a superior specimen of the human body and mind. He was literally created using the best parts of unwound teenagers; intelligently designed. Major contributors have spared no expense to see him thrive and be the best of the best. When he is revealed to the world, shock waves ripple through society. To make him seem more “human”, the company behind his creation thinks a girlfriend is in order. Cam has eyes for only one, a wheelchair bound girl.

Miracolina Roselli was conceived for the sole purpose of being a donor for her older brother when he was stricken with leukemia and no match could be found. She has always known that her purpose now is to be tithed. Even on the day she is to go to the harvest camp, her parents regret their decision and attempt to stop it. Miracolina has other plans and happily goes, leaving her family heartbroken. Just before the van she is riding in arrives at the Wood Hollow Harvest Camp, Miracolina is captured by the resistance group, where she meets Lev Calder. She is furious.

Why have the authorities not raided the Graveyard? Who is behind the creation of Cam and why did they do it? How did Lev get involved with the resistance group? Is Starkey to be trusted? Who will be betrayed? And who will uncover the truth behind unwinding?

Once again interspersed with advertisements, newspaper articles and snippets of the law, readers will be thrusted into the debate to unwind or not.  

UnSouled - Book Three

There is no safe place for the AWOLs and the key to ending unwinding may lie back where it all started.

UnDivided - Book Four

The journey to end unwinding comes to the final showdown.

Visit Neal Shusterman’s website.
Visit the Unwind movie site. The movie is currently listed as being in development.

Prodigy by Marie Lu (Legend book 2)

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

Thirty-five days have passed since Metias’ death and nine since Day and June escaped Los Angeles and the Republic. They have stowed away in a railcar bound for Las Vegas. Day is set on finding the Patriots. He is looking for information on his little brother Eden and to make sure his friend Tess is alright. June is hoping they can help the worsening gunshot wound to Day’s leg. She knows the Patriots will not help them without some sort of payment. Now wanted criminals by the Republic, the two are short on funds.

Las Vegas is a military city, full of soldiers and the worse possible place for the two of them to go. Disguised from the Republic soldiers but marked to find the Patriots, Day is barely able to walk with his wounded leg. The Jumbo Tron screens lining the Vegas strip are displaying a notice that June is missing and a reward is being offered. No mention is made of her being a criminal. When the image of the Elector Primo is displayed and the national pledge begins playing, Day and June must stop and recite the pledge to keep up pretenses. When the broadcast unexpectedly pauses, June and Day notice the surrounding soldiers are holding their rifles as if they are expecting a reaction. Soon, the Elector’s portrait is replaced with a younger version that June recognizes as his son’s, Anden Staviopoulos. They realize that the Elector Primo has died and his son has replaced him. The strip soon returns to business as usual. It is like nothing has happened. Day collapses. His leg has given out.

When questioned by a corporal, they continue to play the drunken soldier and prostitute roles. Wanting to take Day to the hospital, June knows their covers will be blown. Soon a female soldier comes up and plays along with their story. It is Kade, the Patriot who helped Day escape his execution. The corporal leaves them alone and Kade is not happy to see them but takes them back to her barracks. The Patriot headquarters are located inside one of the largest military barracks in Vegas. In fact, the apartment they are using is for high-ranking Republic officers. There, Day is reunited with Tess. Soon Razor, the head of the Patriots, joins them. He has June very convincingly prove her identity. Razor wants to know why Day is there asking for help when he has declined to join them several times in the past. Mo longer needed for his skills, Razor gives them another way to pay the Patriots for what he needs. The Republic is vulnerable and it is the perfect time to spark a revolution. With Day and June’s reputations, they are the perfect for the job he has in mind. They will find Day’s brother, fix his bad leg and help the two of them to escape to the Colonies for one act. Both agree. All they must do is assassinate the new Elector Primo.

Will Day and June agree to the Patriots’ plan? Can June kill the new Elector that she admired at the ball? What happens when Day learns that June has met the Elector before? How will Day and June’s relationship survive when their choices lead them on separate paths? In the end, just who can June and Day really trust?

Day and June’s story will conclude on November 5, 2013 with Champion.

Visit Marie Lu’s website.

The Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore (Lorien Legacies book 3)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't read the first two books in the Lorien Legacies, I am Number Four and The Power of Six, Stop! I don't want to ruin the series for you.

The Rise of Nine is told from three different viewpoints. Four tells the story of tracking Sam in the U.S. and the story of locating Eight is alternated between Six and Marina (Seven). Three different type faces are utilized to help keep track of the various viewpoints.


Since the battle with the Mogadorians at the lake in Spain and at their base in West Virginia, the known Lorien Garde has split up to prepare for their next battle. Six, along with Marina (Seven), Ella (Ten) and Ella’s unofficial Cepan, Crayton, are on a flight to India in search of a possible member of the Garde. Residing in the Himalayan Mountains, Crayton believes the boy may be the one to possess all of the Legacies like Pittacus Lore and be the only chance to defeat the invincible and powerful Mogadorian leader, Setrakus Ra. His impending arrival on Earth is a sign that the remaining six members of the Lorien Garde are now a viable threat as they are coming into their Legacies. Six would rather head back to West Virginia and meet up with John Smith (Four) and his friend Sam than go on Crayton’s hunch.

Four is slowly recovering from his battle in the Mogadorian hideout to take back his chest. Having to leave Sam behind, Four is with Nine and the two are not getting along. Four has a dream that Setrakus Ra is holding Sam hostage and will let him go if Four comes back to fight him. Nine believes that the two of them need to rejoin Six and the others to train for their fight against Setrakus Ra. But Four is unwillingly to let his friend Sam be tortured and when Bernie Kosar lets him know that they aren’t that far from the compound.

Soon they realize that the federal government is working with the Mogadorians when their hideout is raided. The two are able to escape but not before learning some truths. The government has Sam and Sarah, who never sold Sam out. Only with the knowledge that they are in the western part of the U.S., the two boys hitch a ride on a freight train to begin their journey.

Upon their arrival in New Delhi, their taxi is soon commandeered by what at first glance seems to be rebel forces until they notice the number eight painted ion all of the doors. The leader, Commander Sharma, states that they are expected and to come with him. Deciding to take a chance, the Lorien head out with the caravan, soon they run into trouble and find themselves fighting for their lives. Six, Marina and Ella use their Legacies to ensure the opposing forces retreat. Commander Sharma tells them they must climb the mountain before dark to reach Vishnu.

Waiting together, they reach the top to find a lake with a statue of Vishnu in the center. Commander Sharma tells the three Garde members they must pass a test before speaking to him. Using their legacies, Six, Marina and Ella each prove their worth and to Sharma’s disbelief, Eight shows his true form. Telling Sharma that he no longer needs his services, Eight joins the three Garde members to begin training for their fight with Setrakus Ra.

Will Four and Nine be able to rescue Sam and Sarah? Is Eight as powerful as Pittacus Lore as Crayton believes or is it someone else? Where in the world is Five hiding and what are their Legacies? Can the seven remaining Lorien Garde join together to save Earth and themselves from Setrakus Ra?

Visit the series website.

Legend by Marie Lu

Los Angeles, California
Republic of America
In the Republic, all children take the Trials at the age of ten. The score determines your future placement. The highest scoring children receive high school and college educations with good paying jobs by the Republic. Low scoring kids are sent to work dangerous jobs. Those who fail the Trials are sent to labor camps and their families are compensated, but that is a lie. The lucky ones die before Congress has a chance to experiment on them.
Day is the most wanted criminal in the Republic, only no one knows what he physically looks like. It is known that he is young and that his fingerprints aren’t on file. He is wanted for assault, arson, theft, destruction of military property and hindering the war effort.” Day makes the Republic look bad. He failed his Trials and feels like his younger brother Eden will as well.
Despite the danger, Day and his friend Tess scavenge for item for his family and monitor their house to see if anyone is stricken with the Plague. When soldiers spend far too long inside Day’s house and then paint an unfamiliar mark on the door, Day will do anything to help Eden and his family. He pretends to be injured and goes to the hospital with the intention of stealing some Plague cure medications. Taking someone hostage in the lab, he is dishearten to discover that only Plague suppressants are available. He grabs those and makes a run for it, leaving behind a pendant his father has given him. Day leaps from a staircase window to fall a couple of stories to the outside. Slightly injured, he is confronted by a soldier, Metais Iparis, as he tries to escape into the sewers system. Before Metais can fire, Day throws his knife, hitting him in the shoulder and knocking him down.
June Iparis is the “Republic’s favorite little prodigy” and the only person to achieve a perfect score on the Trials. She is a senior at Drake, the republic’s top university and is preparing to graduate after only three years with perfect grades. June is training to be a soldier to fight against the Colonies, just like her older brother Metais. She is respected by her fellow students but has trouble fitting in. June is only fifteen years old.
Always in trouble with her superiors June is a bit of a daredevil, pushing herself for the opportunity when she will go after Day. When Metais picks her up at school from her latest suspension, he says to stay in their apartment and he will be back later, Metais needs to be at the hospital to oversee the transfer of some vials of mutant Plague samples. June is preparing to sneak out of the apartment when Thomas, an old friend and one of Metais’ subordinates arrives with the bad news. Metais has been killed. Commander Jameson meets June at the hospital. She informs June that as of this moment her training and coursework at Drake is complete. She is graduating early. They go to Metais’ body and Jameson asks June to describe and analyze the scene. June notices that a knife has been plunged into Metais’ heart and it looks like the killer escaped into the sewer. She gives June a few minutes with her brother’s body before she joins the search. From this point forward, June will be a member of Jameson’s patrol as an agent in training. Her first mission is tracking her brother’s killer, the elusive Day.
June plans a mission for just after Metais’ funeral in an attempt to flush out Day by posing as someone selling Plague medication. She knows he won’t show himself but us pleased when he communicated with her. She is able to pick up a few clues about his background. June then goes undercover as a street urchin in the Lake sector to see if she can find out any information about Day. When she stumbles upon an illegal skiz fight, June realizes the people watching may know something about Day. A fight ends and the crowd calls for the next opponent. Unfortunately a young, frightened girl is pushed forward. Knowing she will probably blow her cover, June steps up to fight instead, unknowingly saving Tess. As Day watches from the shadows, he knows June will be a tough competitor. The fight quickly turns dirty and June is stabbed in the side. She breaks her opponent’s arm to end the fight.
Hurrying to leave, June exits the arena and angers the crowd. Once outside, she dares to peek over her shoulder and sees that several men have followed her. Her injury prevents her from getting away and she is knocked to the ground, hitting her head. Dragging her back towards the fight, she hears a pop and finds herself all alone in a cloud of dust. A beautiful boy offers his hand and takes her to safety.
Weary of one another, June is grateful that the two strangers bandaged her up and allow her to spend a few days tagging along. She hopes to uncover some information about Day’s whereabouts, not realizing until she comes to care about the boy who saved her that he is day. Who murdered Metais and why when Day denies he did it? What happens when June turns Day over to the Republic? What secrets is the Republic keeping covered, especially those concerning Day? Who will June be able to trust now that her brother is dead? What choices will she willingly make that will change the course of her life?
Told in alternating chapters from both Day and June’s points of view, readers are able to keep up through the use of different type fonts. An absolutely engrossing read that will be hard to put down and leave you clamoring for book two, Prodigy on January 29, 2013.
Visit Marie Lu’s website.
Visit the Legend Series website.

Black Heart by Holly Black (Curse Workers book 3)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't read the first two books in the series, White Cat and Red Glove, Stop! I don't want to ruin a terrific story for you.

“In a world where magic is illegal, Cassel Sharpe has the most deadly ability of all.”


Cassel Sharpe has recently given up everything he thought he could never have; the girl of his dreams, power and being the right hand of Zacharov. But Cassel cares about who he has hurt in the past. A transformation worker, Cassel was used by his two older brothers to kill people and dispose of their bodies. Thanks to his brother Barron, a memory worker, Cassel cannot recall his past. The one thing he regrets most of all is the fact that he was used to turn Lila Zacharov into a white cat. Kept hidden by his brothers, Cassel recently released Lila to her human form. Cassel has loved Lila for years and she has kept his secret from her crime lord father. To make matters worse, Cassel’s mother is an emotion worker who worked Lila to love Cassel. He discovered the truth and convinced his friend Danica to wipe her emotions clean. Lila was furious when she found out and Cassel was devastated.

Now attempting to complete his senior year at Wallingford Prep, Cassel is caught between the good guys and the bad. With Philip dead, Barron is now a junior federal agent in training and he is supposed to be teaching Cassel the tricks of the trade, before he officially joins. When their mother is caught working Governor Patton, he is on the news every night calling for her blood. She goes into hiding. When Lila takes Cassel to her father’s apartment, he doesn’t know why. When they arrive, Cassel is surprised to find his mother. Turns out years earlier, she stole Zacharov’s Resurrection Diamond and replaced it with a fake. Zacharov discovered the deception and is holding Cassel’s mother until the real diamond is returned.

When FBI Agent Yulikova asks Cassel to use his powers to transform Governor Patton into something else, it is assassination without a trace. Since being worked by his mother, Cassel realizes that Governor Patton is spinning wildly out of control. Cassel realizes that the government just wants him for his unique talent, just as Zacharov does. So what happens when the supposedly good guys turn out to be just as evil as the bad ones?

Can Cassel find the Resurrection Diamond and free his mother from Zacharov’s grasp? Will Governor Patton continue to spiral out of control or will he be stopped before any harm comes to workers? Who can Cassel trust? What becomes of Cassel Sharpe? And will he finally get the girl of his dreams?


I really enjoyed Holly Black’s conclusion to the curse Workers series and cannot wait to see what she writes next.

Visit Holly Black's website.

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore (Lorien Legacies book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't read I Am Number Four yet, Stop! I don't want to ruin the story for you.

“I’ve seen him on the news. Followed the stories about what happened in Ohio. John Smith, out there, on the run. To the world, he’s a mystery. But to me … he’s one of us.”

The Power of Six is told from two different viewpoints, John Smith, aka Four and a new character, Marina, also known as Seven. Two different typefaces and the changing of viewpoints every two chapters help the reader keep track of who’s who.

John, Six and Sam have left Paradise, Ohio and the battle at the school with the Mogadorians. Soon John and Sam are suspected terrorists and on the FBI’s most wanted list. As they travel around the country incognito, readers learn more about Four and Six’s life since coming to Earth. John struggles with Henri’s death and leaving behind Sarah Hart, the love of his life.

While on the lam in the United States, Number Seven now known as Marina and her Cepan, Adeline, are introduced. For many years, the two have lived in relative obscurity in a convent in Spain. Adeline has chosen a life of God and steadfastly refuses to train Marina in her legacies. Left alone, Marina has come into them by accident at times. Upon seeing the news reports of the wanted fugitive John Smith from the US, Marina is certain that he is also one of the nine who escaped from Lorien. She begins to make plans to find him since Adeline is no help to her. Soon a new orphan, seven-year-old Ella comes to the convent and Marina enlists her aid to help locate her chest.

Before too long, the Mogadorians not only have John, Six and Sam in their sights but Marina as well. A bit slow in the beginning with the background details about Marina’s life, the second half of the book explodes as Four and Six attempt to join up with Seven. Three have been killed and only six are left.

This volume ends in a major cliffhanger and this reader is eagerly awaiting word if there will be another book.

I Am Number Four: The Lost Files: Six’s Legacy

Six’s Legacy is a novella in eBook form that briefly tells Six’s background story on Earth with her Cepan Katarina. Their capture by the Mogadorians and Katarina’s death is chapter eight of The Power of Six if you don’t read the novella.

Visit the I Am Number Four website.

Red Glove by Holly Black (Curse Workers book 2)

“The cons get twistier and the stakes get higher.”

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

“Curses and cons. Magic and the Mob.”


After spending the summer with his mother in Atlantic City looking for her next millionaire mark, Cassel Sharpe is almost looking forward to the start of school. In a short time, Cassel has discovered quite a few things about himself. He is the most powerful curse worker around. Cassel has the ability to transform with a touch of his hand. The girl he loves, Lila Zacharov, is no longer a white cat he unknowingly turned. But unfortunately, Cassel’s mother, an emotion worker, has cursed Lila to love Cassel and he can no longer trust what Lila says. And after spending the summer avoiding Lila, Cassel is stunned when she enrolls at Wallingford Prep. Looks like it might be an interesting school year.

Cassel is soon pulled out of class and called into the headmistress’s office. Upon his arrival, he notices two men waiting on him are federal officers. He is taken to their headquarters where he is eventually told that his brother Philip is dead and that he was working with the government at the time. Cassel is offered training and a job with the government if he finds out the information Philip was going to supply. The only clue the feds have to go on is a grainy image of a woman wearing a red glove. To make matters worse, at Philip’s funeral, Lila’s father offers Cassel a job. He also tells Cassel he wasn’t responsible for his brother’s death.

Which path will Cassel choose, the feds or the mob? Can he find out who is responsible for his brother’s death? And does Lila really love him or is it just the curse talking?

The trilogy concludes with Black Heart in 2012.

Visit Holly Black’s website.

White Cat: The Curse Workers series by Holly Black

Curse workers have the ability to change someone's emotions, luck or memories with the touch of their hand. Nowadays curse work is illegal so most workers are part of one of the six big worker families. Cassel Sharpe comes from a family of curse workers, only he isn't a worker. What Cassel is good at is faking and lying. He is trying to live a normal life. That is as normal as can be for someone who killed their best friend three years ago and doesn't remember doing it.

One night Cassel wakes up on the roof of his dorm. He was sleepwalking while dreaming of a white cat that bit his tongue out. He is kicked out of Wallingford Preparatory and is sent to live with his brother Philip since his mother is in prison for doing curse work. Soon Cassel's Grandad comes to take him home. The house is trashed since Cassel's parents were hoarders. No one has lived there in three years since Cassel's father died and his mother went to prison. He and his Grandad start to clean up the mess.

While at home, Cassel notices a stray white cat, the same one from his dreams. It seems as if the cat is trying to tell him something. And being back around his brothers he notices that they are keeping secrets from him and his memories have been altered. Soon Cassel realizes that his life is not what it seems and he has a few secrets of his own.

Cassel's story continues in Red Glove out May 2011 and picks up about six months after White Cat ends.

Visit Holly Black's website.