Blood of a Thousand Stars by Rhoda Belleza (Empress of a Thousand Skies book 2)

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

“Empress

With a revolution brewing, Rhee is faced with a choice: make a deal with her enemy, Nero, or denounce him and risk losing her crown.

Fugitive

Framed assassin Alyosha has one goal in mind: kill Nero. But to get his revenge, Aly may have to travel back to the very place he thought he’d left forever—home.

Princess

Kara knows that a single piece of technology located on the uninhabitable planet Wraeta may be the key to remembering—and erasing—the princess she once was.

Madman

Villainous media star Nero is out for blood, and he’ll go to any means necessary to control the galaxy. 

Vicious politics and high-stakes action culminate in an epic showdown that will determine the fate of the universe.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I really wish that I had picked up the ending to this duology sooner than I did for the simple fact of remembering all of the little details from the first book. It really didn’t take me long to fall back into the story of the Ta’an sisters and their quest to regain the throne from Nero. Our main characters are separated for most of the book. Told from the POVs of Rhiannon, Kara, and Aly, the story ends on quite a dramatic note.

Visit Rhoda Belleza’s website.

Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza

“Take back the throne.”

“Empress

Rhee, also known as Crown Princess Rhiannon Ta’an, is the sole surviving heir to a powerful dynasty. She’ll stop at nothing to avenge her family and claim her throne.

Fugitive

Aly has risen above his war refugee origins to find fame as the dashing star of a DroneVision show. But when he’s falsely accused of killing Rhee, he's forced to prove his innocence to save his reputation – and his life.

Madman

With planets on the brink of war, Rhee and Aly are thrown together to confront a ruthless evil that threatens the fate of the entire galaxy.

A saga of vengeance, warfare, and the true meaning of legacy.”  taken from Goodreads.com.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I thought for sure it would be very predictable, and at times it was, but it doesn't follow the same old standard tropes. For one, the two main characters and their POVs only cross once and they never really meet. I cannot wait to see where the story is going from here after the ending.

The story will be continued with book two.

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.

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.

Poison by Bridget Zinn

Kyra use to be a member of the Master Trio of Potioners, along with Ned and Hal. They are the best poisonous weapons users in the kingdom but of the three, she was the best. Unfortunately for Kyra, she made a couple of mistakes. First, she fell in love with the well groomed and arrogant Hal but she ended up breaking his heart. Second, she betrayed every one she knew when she tried to murder the kingdom's princess and failed. Now she is on the run and being hunted by Ned and Hal.

At the age of twelve, Kyra was brought in by the Queen to be part of Princess Ariana's education. Born sickly, Ariana led a sheltered life. Kyra's job was to instruct the princess in the art of makeup since Krya excelled at cosmetic potions and charms. Neither girl wanted anything to do with the other. Since she was a first year apprentice, Kyra set out to complete a potion for homework. Ariana took an immediate interest in Kyra's work. She asked Kyra if there was a potion to get them out of the confines of the castle. Kyra set out to make one and Ariana was ecstatic that it worked. After one afternoon of fun, the girls' lessons quickly turned into secret adventures outside the castle. Soon, Ariana and Kyra turned into the best of friends and the adventures continued for five years. This is why everyone in the kingdom was shocked to learn that Kyra had tried to kill Princess Ariana and failed.

Desperate and in hiding in the three months since her failed assassination attempt on Princess Ariana's sixteenth birthday, Kyra cannot locate Ariana. She travels outside the town of Tippolow to find the King of Criminals, Arlo Abbaduto. Having turned down Arlo on two occasions for work, Krya is at his mercy. She offers to pay him with Potioners' coins and change their imprint to him. Potioners' coins always find their way back to their owner. In exchange, Arlo will give her a small Katzenheim pig, the best hunter he has, guaranteed to find the person she is looking for. Kyra isn't given a chance to protest and Arlo even provides her with an object belonging to the princess. He laughs as she leaves his hideout.

The next morning, the piglet leads Krya to a river. Not wanting to waste time looking for a bridge to cross, she decides to strip down to her undergarments, hold the piglet and her belongings above her head and cross. She is able to see the bottom. Just past half way, she hears a whistle and looks up to see a handsome boy a couple of years older than her. Asking him to leave, he says that he will stay in case she needs rescuing. Kyra then sees a wolf come out of the woods behind the boy. Soon the piglet notices it too and pokes Kyra in the eye with a hoof and she is caught in a swift river current. The handsome boy is able to rescue her after all. Back on shore, he introduces himself as Fred and the wolf is actually his dog, Langley. After getting her clothes back on and Fred naming her pig Rosie, Krya turns down the offer of a hot meal and departs.

Walking along, Kyra hears footsteps. She grabs Rosie and dives for cover with the aid of a cloaking potion. Turns out Dartagn, one of the king's elite soldiers who had trained Krya is right on top of her. She throws a rock and he turns his attention in the opposite direction and leaves. Kyra leaves once Dartagn is out of the area. She later hears footstep again and is almost discovered by Fred and Langley. They leave but soon she hears a scream. Running, Kyra comes across Fred being attacked by six goblins. He is knocked out and Kyra is able to knock several out and cha the rest away. She drags Fred to safety. When he wakes up, Fred repays her by cooking dinner and offering her a camp spot for the night. Tired of being alone and hungry, Kyra accepts against her better judgment.

The next morning, Krya leaves payment for Fred and sneaks off while he is still sleeping. She hasn't traveled far when Fred catches up to her. He is hurt and angry at Krya leaving. Realizing she actually cares what he thinks of her against her better judgment. She asks if they can continue to travel together knowing that eventually she will have to abandon him once more.

Why was Krya trying to kill her best friend, Princess Ariana? Why does she think her death would be the best thing for the kingdom? Can Rosie the pig really track the princess? Will Kyra attempt to assassinate the Ariana again? Is Kyra captured? Does Fred find out her true identity and what will he do with that knowledge? And will Krya be able to find a happily ever after?

Bridget Zinn was a writer and librarian who unfortunately died two years before the publication of her only book, Poison.

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.

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.

Unwind By Neal Shusterman

WOW! I absolutely loved this book. The United States has had it’s Second Civil War, the Heartland War, and it was a battle between the Pro-Lifers and Pro-Choicers and everyone lost. Life is scared from conception to the age of 13. But between the ages of 13 and 18, parents can choose to have their children unwound. Harvest camps operate to harvest organs and body parts. They are then set aside for recipients. No part is wasted.

Conner’s parents see him as a troublemaker and sign the unwind order. Risa is a ward of the state and is being unwound to cut costs. Lev was born a tithe and has been preparing to be unwound his entire life. Circumstances bring these three teens together as they set off on a cross country journey to escape with their lives. Now they just have to make it to 18.