Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto (House of the Dead book 1)

“Ready your blade. Defeat the undead.

In the Dominions, the dead linger, violent and unpredictable, unless a bonesmith severs the ghost from its earthly remains. For bonesmith Wren, becoming a valkyr—a ghost-fighting warrior—is a chance to solidify her place in the noble House of Bone and impress her frequently absent father. But when sabotage causes Wren to fail her qualifying trial, she is banished to the Border Wall, the last line of defense against a wasteland called the Breach where the vicious dead roam unchecked.

Determined to reclaim her family’s respect, Wren gets her chance when a House of Gold prince is kidnapped and taken beyond the Wall. To prove she has what it takes to be a valkyr, Wren vows to cross the Breach and rescue the prince. But to do so, she’s forced into an uneasy alliance with one of the kidnappers—a fierce ironsmith called Julian from the exiled House of Iron, the very people who caused the Breach in the first place…and the House of Bone’s sworn enemy.

As they travel, Wren and Julian spend as much time fighting each other as they do the undead, but when they discover there’s more behind the kidnapping than either of them knew, they’ll need to work together to combat the real danger: a dark alliance that is brewing between the living and the undead. - taken from Goodreads.

This book is what happens when unbeknownst to them, two sworn enemies must come together to say the kidnap Prince and discover along the way that everything they believed in was untrue. Determined to win back her place and her family, Ren must forge an alliance with Julian in order to rescue Prince Leo. It doesn't take too long before things heat up between the two of them as they uncover secrets that threaten to topple everything they were led to believe. With an incredible cliffhanger ending, readers will be clamoring for the next book.

This series concludes with Ghostsmith due out on August 13, 2024.

Visit Nicki Pau Preto’s website.

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi (This Woven Kingdom book 1)

 

“To all the world, Alizeh is a disposable servant, not the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom forced to hide in plain sight.

The crown prince, Kamran, has heard the prophecies foretelling the death of his king. But he could never have imagined that the servant girl with the strange eyes, the girl he can’t put out of his mind, would one day soon uproot his kingdom—and the world.” - taken from Goodreads.

This is the first book in a trilogy that is inspired by Persian mythology but readers may be able to relate more to the familiarity with the fairy tale, Cinderella. Alizeh is working as a servant to survive since the assassination of her parents. Keeping her true identity a secret becomes even more complicated when Crown Prince Kamran sees her and believes she is a spy. Full of twists and turns with an incredible cliffhanger ending, fans will be eager to start book two immediately.

Book two, These Infinite Threads, is out now.

Visit Tahereh Mafi’s website.

Reign by Katharine McGee (American Royals book 4)

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

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

“A queen's life hangs in the balance, and her siblings’ decisions—about what to do, and most of all, who to love—could change the course of history. Romance. Duty. Power...only one can triumph in this stunning conclusion to the New York Times bestselling American Royals series.

America's royal family is in shambles. Queen Beatrice is in a coma and Princess Samantha has gone missing—from the look of things, she ran away with her boyfriend, Lord Marshall Davis. Which means that Prince Jefferson is currently on the throne. For some in America, it's exactly what they wanted: a King ruling the country. And for Daphne Deighton, who has tricked Jefferson into dating her again, it's the ultimate dream come true. 

Surely this is all just temporary. Won’t Beatrice wake up and reclaim her rightful place? Samantha can't really be gone…can she? And Prince Jefferson will never truly be over his childhood crush, Nina Gonzalez. Right?

For the Washington family, the stakes are higher than ever. Love might save the throne….if secrets don’t destroy everything first.” - taken from Goodreads.

Oh, how I am going to miss this series. Without giving anything away, I will say that Reign wrapped up the story for all four of our main characters that will satisfy fans.

Visit Katharine McGee’s website.

The Lightstruck by Sunya Mara (The Darkening book 2)

 

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

“Vesper Vale sacrificed everything to save her city from the cursed storm. After becoming a vessel of The Great Queen, Vesper awakes from a slumber three years after her life altering choice.

What she finds isn’t a home freed from the terror of the storm, but one where its citizens are besieged by the even more sinister force of The Great King and his growing army of the lightstruck—once regular citizens who are now controlled by the ominous light encroaching on the city. And the people are all looking to Vesper, now revered as a goddess after her sacrifice, as their city’s only hope.

To save the rings from the Great King, Vesper must contend with the obligations of being a deity to her people and the growing chasm between her and Dalca, the prince she swore never to love. Haunted by the guilt of their past choices and faced with the pressures of a city near ruin, Vesper and Dalca find themselves torn between the growing factions within the city and the royal court.

But in order to save her city from the light, Vesper must face the power most outside of her control—the goddess within.’ - taken from Goodreads.

Three years have passed and when Vesper Vale finally wakes up, things aren’t necessarily for the better. With the Great Queen now residing in her body, the Great King has been freed and is causing destruction now. Unsure of her role in this new world, Vesper tries to find a way to stop the Great King and his Lightstruck from taking over. This story does drag in parts, especially near the end. The ending doesn't tie everything up in a neat bow but is full of promise. 

Visit Sunya Mara’s website.

Omen of Ice by Jus Accardo (Omen of Ice book 1)

“Keltania Tunne has spent her whole life training to become a bodyguard for a Winter Fae. It’s the highest of honors for a druid…only when Tania arrives at the Winter Court for the first time, nothing is what she expected.

Her assignment is the heir to the throne, Valen, and he doesn’t want her protection. In fact, he wants her gone. Yesterday. But Tania will not compromise, even if he is the most arrogant jackass she’s ever met―because something isn’t right in the Winter Court.

Everyone has secrets. From the Winter Lord to the kitchen maids to the rising faction that wants the prince dead―no one is who they seem. And now it’s up to Tania to keep her sacred oath and protect Valen, even when his smart mouth makes her skate the razor-thin edge between love and hate.

But the more she gets to know him, the more she realizes his secret is the biggest of all―and might just get them both killed.” - taken from Goodreads.

Here is another enemies to friends/almost lovers story. Sworn to protect a prince who doesn’t want her protection, the stakes get extremely complicated when a protection spell goes wrong and ties Tania and Valen together. In an attempt to rectify the situation, the two realize that they are each harboring secrets as they discover their lives are in danger. Plenty of jaw dropping surprises come one after the other as the ending thunders along. 

Book two has not been announced.

Visit Jus Accardo’s website.

These Twisted Bonds by Lexi Ryan (These Hollow Vows book 2)

 

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

“Brie finds herself caught between two princes and two destinies while the future of the fae realm hangs in the balance.

After Abriella's sister was sold to the fae, she thought life couldn't get any worse. But when she suddenly finds herself caught in a web of lies of her own making ­- loving two princes and trusting neither - things are not quite as clear as she once thought.

As civil war wages in the Court of Darkness, Brie finds herself unable to choose a side. How can she know where she stands when she doesn't even know herself anymore? In this darkly romantic thrill ride, the more Faerie is torn apart from the inside, the clearer it becomes that prophecies don't lie and Brie has a role to play in the fate of this magical realm - whether she likes it or not.” - taken from Goodreads.

This book was the conclusion to Brie’s journey to fae and the deception that she found there. With never a dull moment and a few surprises thrown in along the way, fand of the series will be satisfied with the ending.

Visit Lexi Ryan’s website.

The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder (The Bone Spindle book 1)

 

“Fi is a bookish treasure hunter with a knack for ruins and riddles, who definitely doesn't believe in true love.

Shane is a tough-as-dirt girl warrior from the north who likes cracking skulls, pretty girls, and doing things her own way.

Briar Rose is a prince under a sleeping curse, who's been waiting a hundred years for the kiss that will wake him.

Cursed princes are nothing but ancient history to Fi--until she pricks her finger on a bone spindle while exploring a long-lost ruin. Now she's stuck with the spirit of Briar Rose until she and Shane can break the century-old curse on his kingdom.

Dark magic, Witch Hunters, and bad exes all stand in her way--not to mention a mysterious witch who might wind up stealing Shane's heart, along with whatever else she's after. But nothing scares Fi more than the possibility of falling in love with Briar Rose.” - take from Goodreads.

What would it be like to live in a fairy tale, horror and all? In this gender-swapped story of Sleeping Beauty, Fi and Shane embark on an action-filled adventure against impossible odds to find the sleeping prince and break the curse. With secrets between the two, can Fi and Shane learn to trust and work together? With several unanswered questions, readers will be eagerly anticipating the final book.

The story will be concluded on February 7, 2023, with The Severed Thread,

Visit Leslie Vedder’s website.

Rivals by Katharine McGee (American Royals book 3)

 

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

“Beatrice is queen, and for the American royal family, everything is about to change.

Relationships will be tested.

Princess Samantha is in love with Lord Marshall Davis—but the more serious they get, the more complicated things become. Is Sam destined to repeat her string of broken relationships…and this time will the broken heart be her own?

Strangers will become friends.

Beatrice is representing America at the greatest convocation of kings and queens in the world. When she meets a glamorous foreign princess, she gets drawn into the inner circle…but at what cost?

And rivals will become allies.

Nina and Daphne have spent years competing for Prince Jefferson. Now they have something in common: they both want to take down manipulative Lady Gabriella Madison. Can these enemies join forces, or will old rivalries stand in the way?” - taken from Goodreads.

This book turned out to be so much more than I would have ever dreamed of. Queen Beatrice is trying to find her footing as the first queen of America. Princess Samantha is trying to figure out what her role in the Washington family will be once she is no longer Bea's heir. Prince Jefferson, third in line to the throne, is once again the object of every girl's wish to be a princess. I wasn't sure where the author was going to take this story line but she left readers desperately wishing that book four isn't a year away. 

Book four is due to be published in 2023.

Visit Katharine McGee’s website.

Nightrender by Jodi Meadows (Salvation Cycle book 1)

 

“In the middle of nothingness is the continent of Salvation.

Reality bends easily here. Villages disappear. Forests burn forever. Pockets of inconsistent time are everywhere, their boundaries strung with yellow ribbon. And the three kingdoms of Salvation have been at war for a thousand years.

But the greatest threat is the Malice, an incursion from the demon plane slowly tearing its way through the world's weakest seams. Seams that--once split--will lead to the total unraveling of night and day, light and dark, life and death.

Not that the human world takes much interest. Of more concern is the upcoming marriage of Rune Highcrown, Prince of Caberwill, and Johanne Fortuin, Princess of Embria--the serpent bride, a girl of famous cunning--which offers a possible end to the ancient conflict. But Rune has noticed the growing darkness, and he is determined to summon mankind's only defense: Nightrender, the hammer of the gods, an immortal warrior more weapon than girl.

There is only one problem. The last time she was summoned, she slaughtered every royal in Salvation, and no one knows why. Will she save humanity from the Malice... or plunge it deeper into the fires of eternal war?” - taken from Goodreads

A great start to a new fantasy trilogy that ends in a cliffhanger. Definitely a unique plot that contains a love/hate/user triangle that allows the reader to get insight into all three of the main characters. A highly recommended suggestion from a student who loves fantasy.

Book two in the Salvation Cycle, Dawnbreaker, is expected in 2023.

Visit Jodi Meadows’ website.

These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan (These Hollow Vows book 1)

 

“Brie hates the Fae and refuses to have anything to do with them, even if that means starving on the street. But when her sister is sold to the sadistic king of the Unseelie court to pay a debt, she'll do whatever it takes to get her back—including making a deal with the king himself to steal three magical relics from the Seelie court.

Gaining unfettered access to the Seelie court is easier said than done. Brie's only choice is to pose as a potential bride for Prince Ronan, and she soon finds herself falling for him. Unwilling to let her heart distract her, she accepts help from a band of Unseelie misfits with their own secret agenda. As Brie spends time with their mysterious leader, Finn, she struggles to resist his seductive charm.

Caught between two dangerous courts, Brie must decide who to trust with her loyalty. And with her heart.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This was the book that I have been needing in my life. Brie and her sister Jaz are in an impossible situation, overwhelming debt owed to the aunt they work for. When Madam Vivias sells Jaz to the fae to settle their debts, Brie is determined to get her back. Extremely distrustful of the fae, Brie is desperate and makes a deal with the king of the Unseelie Court. Send. Soon Brie is caught up in a web of lies and deceit with no one to trust.

An incredible jaw-dropping ending that I didn't see coming explodes in the final chapters that will have readers clamoring for the next book 

The conclusion to the story, These Twisted Bonds, is out on July 19, 2022.

Visit Lexi Ryan’s website.

Blessed Monsters by Emily A. Duncan (Something Dark and Holy book 3)

 

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

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

“The girl, the monster, the prince, the queen.

They broke the world.

And some things can never be undone.

They must unite once more to fight the dark chaos they've unleashed—but is it already too late?” - taken from Goodreads.com

This final installment started extremely slow for me. After about 150 pages into the book, the story really begins to pick up as our characters soon realize what their actions have caused. In a  battle to save literally everyone and everything, all of the pieces of the story begin to fall into place. So glad that I did stick with this series.

Visit Emily A. Duncan’s website.

A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer (Cursebreakers book 3)

 

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, 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.

“Face your fears, fight the battle.

Emberfall is crumbling fast, torn between those who believe Rhen is the rightful prince and those who are eager to begin a new era under Grey, the true heir. Grey has agreed to wait two months before attacking Emberfall, and in that time, Rhen has turned away from everyone—even Harper, as she desperately tries to help him find a path to peace.

Fight the battle, save the kingdom.

Meanwhile, Lia Mara struggles to rule Syhl Shallow with a gentler hand than her mother. But after enjoying decades of peace once magic was driven out of their lands, some of her subjects are angry Lia Mara has an enchanted prince and a magical scraver by her side. As Grey's deadline draws nearer, Lia Mara questions if she can be the queen her country needs.

As the two kingdoms come closer to conflict, loyalties are tested, love is threatened, and a dangerous enemy returns, in this stunning conclusion to bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer’s Cursebreaker series.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This was an incredible end to this amazing trilogy. Told from all four previous points of view, the story of clothes as Rhen tries to break free from Lilith’s  brutal curse and end it once and for all. On the brink of war, will Rhen, Harper, Grey, and Lia Mara be able to achieve the peace they desire? The story isn't wrapped up with the neat bow but instead of allows readers to fantasize about their own ending. 

Visit Brigid Kemerer’s website.

Ruthless Gods by Emily A. Duncan (Something Dark and Holy book 2)

 

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

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

“Darkness never works alone...

Nadya doesn’t trust her magic anymore. Serefin is fighting off a voice in his head that doesn’t belong to him. Malachiasz is at war with who--and what--he’s become.

As their group is continually torn apart, the girl, the prince, and the monster find their fates irrevocably intertwined. They’re pieces on a board, being orchestrated by someone… or something. The voices that Serefin hears in the darkness, the ones that Nadya believes are her gods, the ones that Malachiasz is desperate to meet—those voices want a stake in the world, and they refuse to stay quiet any longer.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Well, if that wasn’t a bombshell dropped in the opening chapters. Most of this book revolved around the ending of the first book and building up to the ending and the setup for the final book. A bit slow, the story drags and there is little action until the end. Now, onto the conclusion that promises to pack a punch.

The trilogy will be concluded with Blessed Monsters on April 6, 2021.

Visit Emily A Duncan’s website.

Majesty by Katharine McGee (American Royals book 2)

 

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

“Is America ready for its first queen?

Power is intoxicating. Like first love, it can leave you breathless. Princess Beatrice was born with it. Princess Samantha was born with less. Some, like Nina Gonzalez, are pulled into it. And a few will claw their way in. Ahem, we're looking at you Daphne Deighton.

As America adjusts to the idea of a queen on the throne, Beatrice grapples with everything she lost when she gained the ultimate crown. Samantha is busy living up to her "party princess" persona...and maybe adding a party prince by her side. Nina is trying to avoid the palace--and Prince Jefferson--at all costs. And a dangerous secret threatens to undo all of Daphne's carefully laid "marry Prince Jefferson" plans.

A new reign has begun.... “ - taken from Goodreads.com

The story picks up six weeks after the death of King George and Beatrice is now the first queen of America. Centered around Beatrice, Samantha, Nina, and Daphne, these for ladies grow and develop into their own over the course of the book. I was pleasantly surprised by where three of the ladies ended up but I do wish one girl had gotten her comeuppance. I guess in a way she did.

 Although there is not a third book, I would love to see a short story that takes place in the future.

Visit Katharine McGee’s website.

Wicked As You Wish by Rin Chupeco (A Hundred Names for Magic book 1)

“When a hidden prince, a girl with secrets, a ragtag group of unlikely heroes, and a legendary firebird come together…something wicked is going down.

Many years ago, the magical Kingdom of Avalon was left encased in ice when the Snow Queen waged war. Its former citizens are now refugees in a world mostly devoid of magic. Which is why the crown prince and his protectors are stuck in…Arizona.

Prince Alexei, the sole survivor of the Avalon royal family, is hiding in a town so boring, magic doesn’t even work there. Few know his secret identity, but his friend Tala is one of them.

A new hope for their abandoned homeland reignites when a famous creature of legend, the Firebird, appears for the first time in decades. Alex and Tala must unite with a ragtag group of new friends to journey back to Avalon for a showdown that will change the world as they know it.” - taken from Goodreads.com

A great mashup of alternative history, family, identity, and lots of well-known fairy tales. It sounds confusing but I didn't find it that way for long. I loved uncovering how Tala and Alex's backgrounds fit together and what the future may bring for the two of these characters. That cliffhanger ending has ensured that I'll be picking up book two in the future.

Visit Rin Chupeco’s website.

A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer (Cursebreakers book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

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

“Find the heir, win the crown.

The curse is finally broken, but Prince Rhen of Emberfall faces darker troubles still. Rumors circulate that he is not the true heir and that forbidden magic has been unleashed in Emberfall. Although Rhen has Harper by his side, his guardsman Grey is missing, leaving more questions than answers.

Win the crown, save the kingdom.

Rumored to be the heir, Grey has been on the run since he destroyed Lilith. He has no desire to challenge Rhen--until Karis Luran once again threatens to take Emberfall by force. Her own daughter Lia Mara sees the flaws in her mother’s violent plan, but can she convince Grey to stand against Rhen, even for the good of Emberfall?

The heart-pounding, compulsively readable saga continues as loyalties are tested and new love blooms in a kingdom on the brink of war.” -  taken from Goodreads.com

After the cliffhanger ending from the first book, readers will find that Rhen and Harper play minor roles in this second part of the story. Commander Gray and Lia Mara, the eldest daughter of Karis Luran, voice this part of the story. Gray is the only person that knows who the true heir of Emberfall is and he is determined to hold that secret close. Lia Mara will try just about anything to keep the peace between Syhl Shallow and Emberfall. When their paths unexpectedly cross, the two must rely on each other to escape Emberfall and take their chances with Karis Luran.

Some readers may find the beginning of this book slow or disappointed that Rhen and Harper have minor roles, but so many additional details and plot twists occur that if you thought the cliffhanger from the first book was bad, then this one is going to kill you. 

The trilogy will conclude with book three, A Vow So Bold and Deadly, on January 12, 2021.

Visit Brigid Kemmerer’s website.

The Heir and the Spare by Emily Albright (The Heir and the Spare book 1)

“She's secretly royal. He secretly loyal.”

"Family can be complicated. Especially when skeletons from the past pop up unexpectedly. For American Evie Gray, finding out her deceased mother had a secret identity, and not one of the caped crusader variety, was quite the surprise. Evie’s mom had a secret life before she was even born, one that involved tiaras.

In this modern day fairytale, Evie is on a path to figure out who her mom really was, while discovering for herself what the future will hold. Charged with her late mother’s letters, Evie embarks on a quest into her past. The first item on the list is to attend Oxford, her mom’s alma mater. There, Evie stumbles upon a real life prince charming, Edmund Stuart the second Prince of England, who is all too happy to be the counterpart to her damsel in distress.

Evie can’t resist her growing attraction to Edmund as they spend more time together trying to unravel the clues her mother left behind. But, when doubts arise as to whether or not Edmund could ever be with an untitled American, what really ends up unraveling is Evie’s heart. When Evie uncovers all the facts about her mom’s former life, she realizes her mom’s past can open doors she never dreamed possible, doors that can help her be with Edmund. But, with everything now unveiled, Evie starts to crack under the pressure of new family responsibilities and the realization that her perfect prince may want her for all the wrong reasons.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This book has been on my TBR pile for several years but I just hadn't picked it up. Needless to say I am so glad that I finally read it, and in just over one day. It was just the pick me up I was needing right now. The story felt a little familiar but was so much better than any other book like this I've read. I loved that Evie's mom sent her on a quest of sorts to uncover her past and how supportive Edmund was of her. Both Evie and Edmund's group of friends at Oxford were awesome. Now on to read about Preston's story in Everyday Magic. He is the one character I really needed to see have his own happily ever after.

Visit Emily Albright’s website.