Blood and Honey by Shelby Mahurin (Serpent & Dove book 2)

 

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

“After narrowly escaping death at the hands of the Dames Blanches, Lou, Reid, Coco, and Ansel are on the run from coven, kingdom, and church—fugitives with nowhere to hide.

To elude the scores of witches and throngs of chasseurs at their heels, Lou and Reid need allies. Strong ones. But protection comes at a price, and the group is forced to embark on separate quests to build their forces. As Lou and Reid try to close the widening rift between them, the dastardly Morgane baits them in a lethal game of cat and mouse that threatens to destroy something worth more than any coven.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Picking up immediately from what I thought was a cliffhanger, our merry gang is on the run for their lives from everyone. In an attempt to gather allies against Morgane, several new characters are introduced. This second book truly ends in a whopper of a cliffhanger that makes the ending of the first book look like child's play.

Visit Shelby Mahurin’s website.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

 

“Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might die. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.

Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister's recent death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it's unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the "natural wonders" of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It's only with Violet that Finch can be himself--a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who's not such a freak after all. And it's only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet's world grows, Finch's begins to shrink.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Trigger warning: suicide and bullying. Theodore Finch meets Violet Markey when the two of them are on the ledge of the school bell tower contemplating jumping. Finch talks Violet down but everyone assumes that she is the one who saved the “freak”. The two are thrown together for a geography project and their relationship takes off from there. Not wanting to spoil anything, I did love this heartbreaking story.

Visit Jennifer Niven’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.

Rebel Spy by Veronica Rossi

 

“Rebellious Frannie Tasker knows little about the war between England and its thirteen colonies in 1776, until a shipwreck off her home in Grand Bahama Island presents an unthinkable opportunity. The body of a young woman floating in the sea gives Frannie the chance to escape her brutal stepfather--and she takes it.

Assuming the identity of the drowned Emmeline Coates, Frannie is rescued by a British merchant ship and sails with the crew to New York. For the next three years, Frannie lives a lie as Miss Coates, swept up in a courtship by a dashing British lieutenant. But after witnessing the darker side of the war, she realizes that her position gives her power. Soon she finds herself eavesdropping on British officers, risking everything to pass information on to George Washington's Culper spy ring as agent 355. Frannie believes in the fight for American liberty--but what will it cost her? Inspired by the true "355" and rich in historical detail and intrigue, this is the story of an unlikely New York society girl turned an even unlikelier spy.” - taken from Goodreads.com

I have been looking forward to reading this book for several months before it even came out. The mystery surrounding spy 355 hooked me and I did some extensive research before starting the story. Frannie Tasker and all her friends and family are fictional but many historical events, people, and places are woven into the story. The beginning was a bit slow to build and her decision to become a spy seemed quick, but I was pleasantly surprised by all of the possibilities that the ending provided.

Visit Veronica Rossi’s website.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

“Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people…

In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal’s office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane crash.

Separated by distance—and Papi’s secrets—the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered.

And then, when it seems like they’ve lost everything of their father, they learn of each other.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Another phenomenal book by Elizabeth Acevedo. Two girls who have never met are brought together by the tragic death of their father. Told in alternating points of view between Camino and Yahaira, this story about what happened when their father’s secret life comes to light. Full of grief, loss, and betrayal but yet acceptance for the difficult situation they are left in. Well worth the read!.

Visit Elizabeth Acevedo’s website.

Sea Witch duology by Sarah Henning

Sea Witch - book one

"Before she took the mermaid's voice, she have up her own heart."

“Everyone knows what happens in the end. A mermaid, a prince, a true love’s kiss. But before that young siren’s tale, there were three friends. One feared, one royal, and one already dead.

Ever since her best friend, Anna, drowned, Evie has been an outcast in her small fishing town. A freak. A curse. A witch.

A girl with an uncanny resemblance to Anna appears offshore and, though the girl denies it, Evie is convinced that her best friend actually survived. That her own magic wasn’t so powerless after all. And, as the two girls catch the eyes—and hearts—of two charming princes, Evie believes that she might finally have a chance at her own happily ever after.

But her new friend has secrets of her own. She can’t stay in Havnestad, or on two legs, unless Evie finds a way to help her. Now Evie will do anything to save her friend’s humanity, along with her prince’s heart—harnessing the power of her magic, her ocean, and her love until she discovers, too late, the truth of her bargain.” - taken from Goodreads.com

So all I really knew about the Little Mermaid fairy tale I learned from Ariel and Disney. I loved how the story was told between two different POVs of the past and the present. I really wasn't sure where the story was going in relation to the original fairy tale but was pleasantly surprised but how the story ended. Now on to the next part of Evie’s story.

Sea Witch Rising - book two

SPOILER ALERT! Please don’t read any further if you don’t want to ruin the rest of the story.

“The Little Mermaid” takes a twisted turn in this thrilling sequel to villainess origin story Sea Witch, as the forces of land and sea clash in an epic battle for freedom, redemption, and true love.

Runa will not let her twin sister die. Alia traded her voice to the Sea Witch for a shot at happiness with a prince who doesn’t love her. And his rejection will literally kill her—unless Runa intervenes.

Under the sea, Evie craves her own freedom—but liberation from her role as Sea Witch will require an exchange she may not be willing to make. With their hearts’ desires at odds, what will Runa and Evie be willing to sacrifice to save their worlds?

I found the beginning of this second book a bit slow but for me, the action really picked up in the second half. Without spoiling any details, I enjoyed this unique twist in the Little Mermaid fairy tale.

Visit Sarah Henning’s website.

 

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

"Two misfits. One extraordinary love."

“Eleanor is the new girl in town, and with her chaotic family life, her mismatched clothes and unruly red hair, she couldn't stick out more if she tried.

Park is the boy at the back of the bus. Black T-shirts, headphones, head in a book - he thinks he's made himself invisible. But not to Eleanor... never to Eleanor.

Slowly, steadily, through late-night conversations and an ever-growing stack of mix tapes, Eleanor and Park fall for each other. They fall in love the way you do the first time, when you're young, and you feel as if you have nothing and everything to lose.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This book has probably been on my TBR pile since it was first published but I have just gotten around to finally listening to the audio version. I love this book since reminded me of my own high school experiences since it does take place in 1986. It's a sweet story of first love but it's a nightmare when you learn the horrors of one character's life. The end literally broke my heart into pieces but did offer hope. I just wish the story could have continued on for years to come.

Visit Rainbow Rowell’s website.