Blood For Blood by Ryan Graudin (Wolf By Wolf book 2)

“The action-packed, thrilling sequel to Ryan Graudin's Wolf by Wolf.

There would be blood.

Blood for blood.

Blood to pay.

An entire world of it.

For the resistance in 1950s Germany, the war may be over, but the fight has just begun.

Death camp survivor Yael, who has the power to skinshift, is on the run: the world has just seen her shoot and kill Hitler. But the truth of what happened is far more complicated, and its consequences are deadly. Yael and her unlikely comrades dive into enemy territory to try to turn the tide against the New Order, and there is no alternative but to see their mission through to the end, whatever the cost.

But dark secrets reveal dark truths, and one question hangs over them all: how far can you go for the ones you love?

This gripping, thought-provoking sequel to Wolf by Wolf will grab readers by the throat with its cinematic writing, fast-paced action, and relentless twists.” - taken from Goodreads.com

In this thrilling conclusion, Yael, Luka and Felix are now on the run after her failed assassination attempt. When the true depth of just how far Adolf Hitler will go to stay in power is revealed, Yael and the others must come up with a new plan. Unbeknownst to them, a desperate person willingly to do anything to save the ones they love, is in their midst and ready to betray the Resistance.

Can Hitler to stopped? Who is willing to betray the Resistance? What is Hitler’s plan to stay in power? How does Yael’s story end? Visit Ryan Graudin’s website.

Illusion by Martina Boone (The Heirs of Watson Island book 3)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, Compulsion and Persuasion, Stop! I don’t want to ruin one of my favorite series for you.

“Barrie must rescue her beloved and her family from evil spirits in the masterful conclusion to the Heirs of Watson Island trilogy.

Caged by secrets all around her and haunted by mistakes that have estranged her from Eight Beaufort, Barrie Watson is desperate to break the curse that puts her family in danger—without breaking the beautiful magic that protects Watson’s Landing. To do that, she must heal the rifts that have split the families of the island apart for three hundred years, unravel the mystery of the Fire Carrier and the spirits he guards, and take control of forces so deadly and awe-inspiring they threaten to overwhelm her.

With the spirits that cursed Watson Island centuries ago awake and more dangerous than ever, she finds an unlikely ally in the haunting and enigmatic Obadiah, whose motivations and power she still can’t read—or trust. His help comes at a price, however, plunging Barrie into a deadly maze of magic and wonder, mystery and intrigue that leads through history to places she never imagined she could go.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Picking up immediately where Persuasion left off, Barrie is attempting to figure everything out, make amends and keep everyone happy. In the end, Barrie is going to have to confront some issues from her past before she can move on.

Will Barrie and Eight reconcile? Can the bindings be broken? Why did the bindings and curse occur in the first place? What secrets did Emmett Watson take to his grave? What is the curse of the Fire Bringer? Will the Colesworth gold be found? What are Obadiah’s true intentions? Can everyone have their happily ever afters?

Visit Martina Boone’s website.

Phantom Limbs by Paula Garner

“How do you move on from an irreplaceable loss? In a poignant debut, a sixteen-year-old boy must learn to swim against an undercurrent of grief—or be swept away by it.

Otis and Meg were inseparable until her family abruptly moved away after the terrible accident that left Otis’s little brother dead and both of their families changed forever. Since then, it’s been three years of radio silence, during which time Otis has become the unlikely protégé of eighteen-year-old Dara—part drill sergeant, part friend—who’s hell-bent on transforming Otis into the Olympic swimmer she can no longer be. But when Otis learns that Meg is coming back to town, he must face some difficult truths about the girl he’s never forgotten and the brother he’s never stopped grieving. As it becomes achingly clear that he and Meg are not the same people they were, Otis must decide what to hold on to and what to leave behind. Quietly affecting, this compulsively readable debut novel captures all the confusion, heartbreak, and fragile hope of three teens struggling to accept profound absences in their lives.” taken from Goodreads.com

This book is full of mystery and heartbreak. Otis is struggling with a lot. His best friend and former love has suddenly come back into his life after three years of silence and has dredged up lots of conflicting emotions. His little brother, Mason, died at Meg’s house. The two families who were very close and are suddenly ripped apart when Meg’s family moves to California. Otis is also dealing with Dara, a girl who has become his unofficial swim coach now that her dreams of a swimming career are shattered because part of one of her arms was amputated. Readers will be captivated not only by the glorious prose that is Ms. Garner’s novel but their desire to unravel and journey alongside Otis as he learns not only the circumstances and the impact his brother’s death had on the two families but more about Dara and what makes her tick.

How did Mason die? What were the circumstance surrounding his death? Why did Meg’s family leave town afterward? How did Dara lose part of her arm? Why is she determined to make Otis a better swimmer? Can Otis overcome the grief he feels over his brother’s death? What happens when Meg comes back into Otis’ life? How will Otis’ story end?

Visit Paula Garner’s website.

Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (The Illuminae Files book 2)

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

“Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.

The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.

Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy's most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.

When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station's wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.

But relax. They've totally got this. They hope.

Once again told through a compelling dossier of emails, IMs, classified files, transcripts, and schematics, Gemina raises the stakes of the Illuminae Files, hurling readers into an enthralling new story that will leave them breathless.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Once again, an incredible story. One of my favorite aspects of the story was the inclusion of Hanna Donnelly’s journals, illustrated by Marie Lu. Written in the same dossier format as Illuminae, fans of this series will be eager to see how our favorite characters from the first book fit in with the new ones. With more surprising twists and turns, readers will be clamouring for the end to see what happens next. This book does end with a bit of a cliffhanger to lead off the third book in the series, due out in 2017.

Visit Amie Kaufman’s website.

Visit Jay Kristoff’s website.

A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess (Kingdom on Fire book 1)

“I am Henrietta Howel. The first female sorcerer. The prophesied one. Or am I?

Henrietta Howel can burst into flames. When she is brought to London to train with Her Majesty's sorcerers, she meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, young men eager to test her powers and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her. As Henrietta discovers the secrets hiding behind the glamour of sorcerer life, she begins to doubt that she's the true prophesied one. With battle looming, how much will she risk to save the city--and the one she loves?” - taken from Goodreads.com

On this fantastical twist on Victorian England, the country is at war with the Ancients. Who they are, where and how they came to be is really unknown but sorcerers are unable to defeat them. They are barely able to protect the crown of England and the sorcerer families. Female magic or witchcraft is criminal and punishable by death since it is believed that a witch named Mary Willoughby brought the Ancients to the world. Henrietta Howel, an orphan and teacher at the Brimthorn School for Girls can call forth fire, a fact she tries to keep hidden except from her friend, Rook. Rook is one of the Unclean and feared by society. He bears the scars of being attacked by

Korozoth. When Cornelius Agrippa comes to Brimthorn to see if one of the girls there is the prophesied female sorcerer, Henrietta’s cover is blown when she and Rook are attacked by Familiars. Agrippa sees her burst into flames and attack the Familiars. Henrietta is brought to London by Agrippa to train and she convinces him to take Rook along as a servant.

In London, Henrietta is dropped into the world of high society and sorcerer training along with several boys, who have been training for a couple years already. She is more readily accepted by some but Lord Blackwell is reserving judgement. Unable to perform magic in the beginning, Henrietta begins to doubt herself when she learns of Lord Agrippa’s dead daughter Gwen. Many believed that Gwen was the prophesied one until her death. Now, Henrietta begins to doubt herself.

Is she the prophesied one? Where does Henrietta’s ability come from? Is she a sorcerer or a witch? Which boys will accept her? Does she get commended?

I loved this book which I compared to a female Harry Potter in a magical Victorian England. I cannot wait to see how this story continues.

Visit Jessica Cluess’ website.

The Midnight Star by Marie Lu (The Young Elites book 3)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two book sin the series, The Young Elites and The Rose Society, 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.

“There was once a time when darkness shrouded the world, and the darkness had a queen.

Adelina Amouteru is done suffering. She’s turned her back on those who have betrayed her and achieved the ultimate revenge: victory. Her reign as the White Wolf has been a triumphant one, but with each conquest her cruelty only grows. The darkness within her has begun to spiral out of control, threatening to destroy all that she’s achieved.

Adelina’s forced to revisit old wounds when a new danger appears, putting not only Adelina at risk, but every Elite and the very world they live in. In order to save herself and preserve her empire, Adelina and her Roses must join the Daggers on a perilous quest—though this uneasy alliance may prove to be the real danger.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Mi Adelinetta! You are the evil villain but really no one understands you. In this final installment of the Young Elites trilogy, you and the other Elites face your greatest enemy and must put aside your differences and work together to not only save yourself but the world in which you live in. As with any great quest, not everyone will survive. As with Lu’s Champion, fans will be torn over the masterpiece that is the epilogue.

Visit Marie Lu’s website. Visit the Young Elites’ website.

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo (Six of Crows book 2)

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

“When you can’t beat the odds, change the game.”

“Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and left crippled by the kidnapping of a valuable team member, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of magic in the Grisha world.” - taken from Goodreads.com

If Six of Crows was the introduction of Kaz Brekker and his crew, then Crooked Kingdom is the in depth analysis of them, their struggles, and how they plan to right the wrongs Van Eck committed against them when he reneged on his deal over the Ice Court job. Shocking discoveries and betrayals are uncovered as our favorite gang of “criminals” attempt to fight their way out of Ketterdam and make new lives for themselves. Will they be successful? Who lives and who dies? Can anyone find their happily ever after?

Fans of the Grisha trilogy will spot several cameos and appearances of some of their favorite characters.

Visit Leigh Bardugo’s website.