To Steal a Throne by Gabi Burton

“Her magic feeds on lies.

His magic could destroy her.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Visit Gabi Burton’s website.

The Oks Are Not OK by Grace K. Shim

“Seventeen-year-old Elena Ok (pronounced Oak) has mastered the art of being both a Los Angeles party girl and financially savvy influencer, but her family doesn’t see the brilliance behind her carefully curated image. Instead, they endlessly praise her older brother Gavin, whose most impressive achievement is consistently forgetting his homework. All of Elena’s hard work and social clout disintegrates when the Oks, founders of the wildly popular (and now bankrupt) fast fashion brand It’s Ok! (pronounced “OKAY”), lose their fortune overnight.

With their empire crumbling and an investigation underway, the Oks flee to Blaire, CA—a farming town that’s as glamourous as Temu. Mr. Ok, a now disgraced retail mogul, and Mrs. Ok, a now also disgraced fashion-forward matriarch, realize they’ve spent decades perfecting their public personas at the expense of actually knowing their kids. Meanwhile, Elena and Gavin are stuck in the middle of nowhere, with nothing to distract them from their family’s unraveling dynamics—or each other’s annoying habits.

But life in Blaire isn’t all bad. As the family reconnects with their Korean farming heritage, Elena discovers a hidden the Blaire Fair, the local market brimming with untapped potential. Applying her business savvy, she helps the small-town vendors thrive and sees how they put their profits back into the community. For the first time, Elena begins to question her own definition of success.

The Oks are Not OK offers humor and drama to tell a story about family, self-discovery, and the fine line between building a brand and building a life.” - taken from Goodreads.

The Oks lose everything when they must declare bankruptcy. The only things they are left with are daughter Elana’s earnings as a social media influencer and a tiny house in a backwater town. Can this family find a way to pivot to survive living in small town Blaire while repairing their relationship?

Visit Grace K. Shim’s website. 

Girls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington

 

“When Mikky Graves left his small, stifling hometown of Prophets Lake to live with his estranged mother, he thought nothing could ever make him return for good.

Until his sister Kyla’s best friend, Erin, is murdered.

Mikky never worried about leaving Kyla behind at their family-owned funeral home so long as she had Erin. But when Mikky heads home, determined to help Kyla grieve, the sister he encounters barely resembles the one he remembers. Mikky decides, then and there, to do the one thing that seems even more impossible than stay.

As Kyla spirals further into her rage and secrets, Mikky realizes the only thing that can help his sister is finding the truth about who killed Erin. But the more he investigates, the further he’s pulled into other ugly mysteries of Prophets Lake and the beauty brand that is its lifeblood. The town’s rot runs deep, and everyone has something to hide. Perhaps no one more than Kyla herself.” - taken from Goodreads.

Kyla's best friend Erin is found murdered and the search for her killer is underway. Erin was an up-and-coming influencer for Cook Cosmetics, the town's leading employer. Mikky, Kyla's older brother, only comes back to live in Prophets Lake to be with his sister in her time of grief. Or so he thinks. After being away for more than three years, Mikky finds that Kyla has changed and it’s not for the better. Upon Erin's death, Kyla has taken over the role of resident mean girl. It's not too long before Mikky begins to realize that not all is what it seems in the town of Prophets Lake. Who killed Erin and why? And what secrets is Kyla keeping?

Visit Joelle Wellington’s website.

Ghostsmith by Nicki Pau Preto (House of the Dead book 2)

 

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

“Wren is still reeling from the revelation that the mother she thought was dead is actually the Corpse Queen, a ghostsmith with the terrifying power to control the undead. It was Wren’s own mother who created the iron revenants—an army of near unbeatable undead soldiers. When the iron revenants attack, no one in the Dominions will have the strength to stand in their way.

Now Wren, Leo, and Julian find themselves once more in the Breach, this time on the run from Wren’s father, who is determined to secure more power for himself and the House of Bone. The three are desperate to stop the upcoming war, but working together is easier said than done with Julian still furious about Wren double-crossing him. And to make matters worse, Wren is plagued by powerful new abilities that force her to reassess everything she knows about being a bonesmith.

When Wren’s long-lost twin brother shows up and vows to help her destroy the well of magic that feeds the iron revenants, she must decide if trusting him is worth potentially playing right into their mother’s hands.

After all, the dead might be dangerous, but it’s the living who can betray you.” - taken from Goodreads.

Wren and Julian try to fight their growing attraction to one another while discovering life-altering secrets that threaten to destroy what's left of their home while trying desperately to save it. With the help of a few friends along the way, can Wren dismantle the well of magic and restore balance back to her world? A fantastic conclusion to this duology.

Visit Nicki Pau Preto’s website.

The Crimson Fortress by Akshaya Raman (The Ivory Key book 2)

 

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

“The search for the Ivory Key has brought royal siblings Vira, Ronak, Kaleb, and Riya closer than they have been in years as they try to restore magic and stability to Ashoka. But despite finally getting their hands on the long-lost key, uncovering its cipher has proved more complicated and dangerous than they ever expected.

Their missions force them to split up and disperse them across Ashoka and beyond. When a rash decision by the council strips Vira of her power, her journey to reclaim her throne takes on new meaning. Kaleb travels to the neighboring country of Lyria to uncover its emperor’s motives and meets a prince seeking answers of his own. Ronak’s efforts to escape his arranged marriage and exonerate his brother lead to a series of risky deals that only bring him closer to what he’s running from. And Riya’s newfound power has turned unpredictable, but her search for answers only raises more questions.

When their attempts at decoding the key release an ancient power, the siblings must align to face the past and save their future once and for all. In a quest that culminates in a deadly labyrinth, there’s only one way they will succeed: together.” - taken from Goodreads.

This was a fantastic finish to this duology. Never missing a beat or dragging the storyline, our four siblings split up in order to save Ashoka. When an unimaginable complication occurs, can the four siblings put their differences aside to save their kingdom?

Visit Akshaya Raman’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.

Some Shall Break by Ellie Marney (None Shall Sleep book 2)

 

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, None Shall Sleep, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

“After a harrowingly close contact with juvenile sociopath Simon Gutmunsson, junior FBI consultants Emma Lewis and Travis Bell went their separate ways: Emma rejected her Quantico offer and Travis stayed to train within a new unit of the FBI Behavioral Science division. But the unit’s latest case is feeling eerily familiar and Kristin Gutmunsson—Simon Gutmunsson’s eccentric twin—reaches out to Travis to send a warning: Emma is in peril.

 

When Travis and Kristin turn up evidence that points back to Daniel Huxton, the serial killer that Emma had escaped, things become more complicated. With a copycat on the loose, Emma returns to Quantico and is thrown back into her past traumas. Compelled to prevent more tragedy—even if it means putting herself in danger—Emma turns to Simon for help once again. But Simon is keeping secrets that could impact their entire investigation. Will the team be able to stop the Huxton copycat before time runs out for his next victims?: - taken from Goodreads.

Three months have passed. Travis stayed with the FBI but Emma went back to school in Ohio, that is until a serial killer who targets girls that resemble Emma is active in Pittsburgh. Taken into protective custody by the FBI, Emma finds herself back with not only Travis but Kristin as well. Not one to sit back and watch, soon Emma is drawn into this latest serial murder case and once again turns to Simon for help discovering the culprit. Can this newest serial killer be stopped before he sets his eyes on Emma?.

This book was just as good as the first but I am really hoping there will be a third volume after that ending. I loved the Kate Bush reference. I laughed out loud.

Visit Ellie Marney’s website.

Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken (Silver in the Bone book 1)

 

“Tamsin Lark didn’t ask to be a Hollower. As a mortal with no magical talent, she was never meant to break into ancient crypts, or compete with sorceresses and Cunningfolk for the treasures inside. But after her thieving foster father disappeared without so much as a goodbye, it was the only way to keep herself—and her brother, Cabell—alive.

Ten years later, rumors are swirling that her guardian vanished with a powerful ring from Arthurian legend. A run-in with her rival Emrys ignites Tamsin’s hope that the ring could free Cabell from a curse that threatens both of them. But they aren’t the only ones who covet the ring.

As word spreads, greedy Hollowers start circling, and many would kill to have it for themselves. While Emrys is the last person Tamsin would choose to partner with, she needs all the help she can get to edge out her competitors in the race for the ring. Together, they dive headfirst into a vipers’ nest of dark magic, exposing a deadly secret with the power to awaken ghosts of the past and shatter her last hope of saving her brother. . . .” - taken from Goodreads.

This book wasn't what I expected going in. A horrific fantasy that sounds a new twist on the legend of King Arthur and Avalon, readers will soon be drawn into Tamsin's story. Living in a magical world without magic of her own, she is determined to find a way to break her brother's curse.  On the hunt for a special relic that could break Cabell's curse, the two end up in Avalon with a partner they never dreamed of, Emrys Dye. Upon their arrival, Avalon isn't what they expected. It's a land of devastation where finding what they are looking for becomes near impossible. 

With an incredible cliffhanger ending, readers will be eagerly waiting to see how the story concludes. 

Book two is not yet titled 

Visit Alexandra Bracken’s website.

The Poison Season by Mara Rutherford

 

“Outsiders are always given a choice: the Forest or the lake. Either way, they're never heard from again.

Leelo has spent her entire life on Endla, coexisting with the bloodthirsty Forest and respecting the poisonous lake that protects her island from outsiders who seek to destroy it. But as much as Leelo cares for her community, she struggles to accept that her younger brother will be exiled by his next birthday, unless he gains the magic of enchanted song so vital to Endla.

When Leelo sees a young outsider on the verge of drowning in the lake, she knows exactly what she's supposed to do. But in a moment that will change everything, Leelo betrays her family, her best friend, and Endla by making an unthinkable choice.

Discovery could lead to devastating consequences for both Leelo and the outsider, Jaren, but as they grow closer, Leelo realizes that not all danger comes from beyond the lake—and they can only survive if Leelo is willing to question the very fabric of her society, her people, and herself. “ -  taken from Goodreads.

A magical story full of mystery, secrets, and love. When Leelo saves Jaren from the poisoned waters of Lake Luma, she cannot bring herself to kill or alert the council of the outsider’s arrival. Hiding him away from everyone and nursing him back to health, can Leelo keep Jaren a hidden until they figure out a way for him to leave the island or will someone betray them?

Visit Mara Rutherford’s website.

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.

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.

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.

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.