A Court of Thrones and Roses by Sarah Maas

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

My Thoughts:
I could not put this down. Like, I had to keep to reading to find out what happened even though it's a Beauty and the Beast retelling and I basically knew exactly what would happen in the end. But this version was so fresh. So different. It's all faeries and mythical creatures and politics and warfare and I was absolutely hooked.

I liked that nothing was over-explained. Hardly anything was explained at all in one big monologue moment; We learned things slowly, piece by piece until it all wrapped up in this nice little bow at the end to make perfect sense. I liked how Feyre's relationships evolved with those around her. It was a natural, progressional evolution where we met a character thinking one thing about them, then got to know them better and they became something else entirely.

This world was very imaginative and I loved how Maas built it. How real the people felt. How there were normal people and normal problems mixed in with the extraordinary and magical and crazy. It was a fun, inventive world even without being a completely original story.

The part with Feyre dressing all Princess Leia-like annoyed me mostly because it was pointless. It was just a way to get our main character scantily-clad and offer up some kind of sexual tension. But it was pointless.

Since this world was new and had different rules and that oh-so-familiar fantasy-medieval-feel, I was abruptly pulled from the story every time I came across a modern curse word. It really annoyed me. The faerie people had that one phrase where they'd curse "by the cauldron" but other than that, they'd all use regular-ol' modern day curse words. If you're going to build an entire freaking world and make up all these rules for it why not go ahead and create some kind of original language to go with it? Most fantasy authors do. Heck, many non-fantasy authors do this, too. That's all.

So basically: If you're into fairy tale retellings or medieval fantasy or magical creatures, you may very well like this book. It's well-written, it has a lot of interesting new elements that I wouldn't have thought to go with Beauty and the Beast and it sucks you in from the beginning. This is definitely New Adult and I do not recommend for teens just because there is some graphic sexual content and very adult themes. But, for realz. it's entertaining. 

Sexual Content: Heavy
Language: Moderate
Drugs/Alcohol: Moderate
Violence: Heavy

The Storyspinner by Becky Wallace

Drama and danger abound in this fantasy realm where dukes play a game for the throne, magical warriors race to find the missing heir, and romance blossoms where it is least expected.

In a world where dukes plot their way to the throne, a Performer’s life can get tricky. And in Johanna Von Arlo’s case, it can be fatal. Expelled from her troupe after her father’s death, Johanna is forced to work for the handsome Lord Rafael DeSilva. Too bad they don’t get along. But while Johanna’s father’s death was deemed an accident, the Keepers aren’t so sure.

The Keepers, a race of people with magical abilities, are on a quest to find the princess—the same princess who is supposed to be dead and whose throne the dukes are fighting over. But they aren’t the only ones looking for her. And in the wake of their search, murdered girls keep turning up—girls who look exactly like the princess, and exactly like Johanna.

With dukes, Keepers, and a killer all after the princess, Johanna finds herself caught up in political machinations for the throne, threats on her life, and an unexpected romance that could change everything.

My Thoughts:
I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. I'm not generally a huge fantasy person and the cover was a big deterrent. So I went into this with pretty low expectations. Which is usually the best way to go into anything. So maybe stop reading this review and go read the book before I get your expectations up too high.

If you're still going to read this review despite the warning, here's what I liked:

Johanna's character. She never whines, never has a tell-all dramatic monologue and is generally just who she is without complaint. She accepts her circumstances and deals with it. Loved that about her. Actually, most of the characters were just likeable. I really liked how Rafi's whole life revolved around honor. He was like a chivalrous knight. It was pleasant. And then there was Pira. I could totally relate to Pira's hard shell and her hiding her feelings and trying to be tough all the time. And the Leao storyline was just yummy. Mmmmhm. So, yeah. Characters.

The world. So this was fantasy in some strange new world with weird geography and Lords and Masters and a Kingdom and whatnot. I usually get lost in all of that but this was pretty easy to follow. I enjoyed all the political intrigue talk and learning about this world's customs.

No love triangle. Hallelujah! There were two completely separate romancey storylines. And they were both yummy. In completely different ways. Johanna's love story had the strangest beginning of any romance I've ever read and I was skeptical of whether or not it would work out. But it did. And, to reiterate, Leao was yummy. Need more Leao.

Wallace wasn't afraid to be brutal. There was a lot of mild grinning going on in this book but not so much laughing out loud. Which is fine, I guess, but I really appreciate humor in novels. And along with all the pleasant stuff going on there were some really dark themes floating around as well. Lots of murder and fighting and even, near the very beginning of the book, a scene in which a girl is found after she had been brutalized and murdered. Wallace handled these situations extremely well, especially since this is supposed to be a YA novel. Events were mentioned and properly handled without being graphic or gross or going for shock factor. So, yes, bad things happen but this novel didn't dwell on them or cause me to have nightmares about all the evil in the world.

There was a lot to like. But, you know, some of the story was a bit cliche; Nothing I hadn't heard before. Some things happened exactly as I'd expected them to. Some events, like the finding of the assassin, felt a bit too easy or forced or just too coincidental to feel real. Many secondary characters felt stereotypical or flat, but, then many beloved characters didn't make it to the end of the book. I don't know which is worse.

Also there's the worst cliffhanger! Ever! Wallace literally leaves some characters hanging. And there are so many unanswered questions. Jacare's dark history is hinted at throughout the entire book but we learn nothing about his past. Or Tex's past, for that matter. I am definitely going to read the next book in the series and probably whatever comes after that, but I am annoyed that I have to wait for it.

So, overall, it's a good, fun, clean read with a few dark elements. But the darkness gives it good roundness.

Sexual Content: Moderate
Language: None
Violence: Moderate
Drugs/Alcohol: None

Mechanical by Betsy Cornwell

**I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. It will be released on August 4, 2015.** 

Publisher: Clarion Books
Pages: 304
Nicolette’s awful stepsisters call her “Mechanica” to demean her, but the nickname fits: she learned to be an inventor at her mother’s knee. Her mom is gone now, though, and the Steps have turned her into a servant in her own home. 

But on her sixteenth birthday, Nicolette discovers a secret workshop in the cellar and begins to dare to imagine a new life for herself. Could the mysterious books and tools hidden there—and the mechanical menagerie, led by a tiny metal horse named Jules—be the key to escaping her dreary existence? With a technological exposition and royal ball on the horizon, the timing might just be perfect for Nicolette to earn her freedom at last.

Gorgeous prose and themes of social justice and family shine in this richly imagined Cinderella retelling about an indomitable inventor who finds her prince . . . but realizes she doesn't want a fairy tale happy ending after all.

My Thoughts:
I wanted to read this because it had a Cinder feel to it. But I read that so many people were turned off by this book because it sounded so much like Cinder by Marissa Meyer. 

However I can honestly say this is NOTHING like Cinder and it is it's own unique retelling of Cinderella. Such a classic that retellings will never get old. 

Nicolette has become the servant of the house but on her sixteenth birthday she discovers a secret workshop in the cellar of her home that once belonged to her mother. Nicolette's mother was a mechanic or tinker. She created mechanical creatures to do things and Nicolette decides to carry on with her mother's work. Nicolette loves to create things and she's very good at it. 

In order to one day leave her current situation, Nicolette decides  to make things and sell them at the market. Well her inventions become a hit and soon she has several orders. At the market she meets two people and they become really good friends.

The story itself was cute and unique but I had a hard time staying focused. I wanted to see how the story would progress especially with the epic ball and prince scene we are all familiar with and what this author would take the story.

Sadly it couldn't really keep my interest. I finished it but I really had to push through it. There wasn't anything content-wise wrong with the book, I just didn't enjoy the story.

The romance was lame and I was disappointed with it all. I saw it all coming and knew right off the bat what was going on and that was a little disappointing. 

Overall if you want another retelling then check it out. I think younger audiences would appreciate it and possibly enjoy it more than I did.

Sexual Content: none
Language: none
Violence: none
Drugs/Alcohol: none

Hidden Huntress by Danielle L. Jensen (The Malediction Trilogy #2)

Book: #2 The Malediction Trilogy
Publication Date: June 2, 2015
Publisher: Angry Robot
Pages: 464

Sometimes, one must accomplish the impossible.

Beneath the mountain, the king’s reign of tyranny is absolute; the one troll with the capacity to challenge him is imprisoned for treason. Cécile has escaped the darkness of Trollus, but she learns all too quickly that she is not beyond the reach of the king’s power. Or his manipulation.

Recovered from her injuries, she now lives with her mother in Trianon and graces the opera stage every night. But by day she searches for the witch who has eluded the trolls for five hundred years. Whether she succeeds or fails, the costs to those she cares about will be high.

To find Anushka, she must delve into magic that is both dark and deadly. But the witch is a clever creature. And Cécile might not just be the hunter. She might also be the hunted…

My Thoughts:
I fell in love with Danielle L. Jensen since I read her first book Stolen Songbird when it first came out!  I've had to wait, and wait for book two now I have to wait for book three! ARRRGH!

I love that this book/series isn't a little book, it has actual story and lines, and descriptions, and not some quick fast-paced book that is over in 200 pages! There is just so much to love about this book as much as the second.

I know some people were annoyed that a long part of the book the two main love interests remained separated, but I was totally okay with that. I mean it left you wanting to read more and more to know what will happen and how they are ever going to be reunited. *sigh* it's a beautiful thing. Generally once characters get together I loose interest in the over story. Sad but true...

Alright so in Hidden Huntress it follows Cecile who is a rising star on the opera stage, her mother is the driving force behind her success. However, Cecile can't keep out of her head or heart her husband whom she had to leave behind.

Under the mountain in the troll kingdom, Tristan is barely keeping it together. After is big betrayal to his father, Tristan has been in prison for some time. When he is released he is only just barely. The game continuing between Tristan, his father and others was really enjoyable to read about.

The alternating points of view in this book, was not annoying at all to me like it usually does. I really enjoyed what was going on with Cecile outside the troll kingdom and what was going on inside with Tristan. I felt the author did a FANTASTIC job of keeping points of view separate and very distinct.

The ending was amazing. I enjoyed the twist and turns and the action at the end. I wasn't too surprised with the "revelation" but it was still fun to read. The mystery, adventure of it all was just right for book two in this series. I can't wait for book three and look forward to more books by this author.

Sexual Content: moderate (kissing, knowledge that 2 characters had sex)
Language: mild
Violence: moderate (murder, battle, some torture-nothing too graphicO)
Drugs/Alcohol: mild (social drinking, a character gets drunk)

*overall I would recommend this series to anyone!

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Published: May 12, 2015
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Pages: 395

Every dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi's wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend.

She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all. 

My Thoughts:
Honestly, I had no idea what this book was going to be about. I kept seeing other YA authors and such rave about this book, so I picked it up.

I am so glad I did! It's a retelling of A Thousand and One Nights! WHOOT! I was hooked after the first sentence!

Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid the Caliph of Khorasan knowing that in the morning she will die. BOOM BABY! Are you hooked? Good!

Oh man what do I say without any spoilers! okay Shahzad only volunteered to marry the Caliph because she plans to kill him and end the suffering of her people. This king who kills his brides the morning after their marriage needed to stop and she decided she would be the one to do it. With a heart full of hate and a desire for revenge Shahrzad marries the Caliph.

Khalid is not what he seems, and soon Shazi starts to see that, which throws off her game and the reasons why she is there.

I really liked Shazi, she a great protagonist who feels so strongly even at sixteen. I liked watching to struggle and wage war with herself has she tries to discover the cause of so much bloodshed.

However this is not just a story of a girl and prince. No, there are other things going on behind the scenes that Shazi and Khalid know nothing about, things that could put their whole lives at stake.

Overall I couldn't put this book down and loved every minute of it. This does have some steamy scenes in it that may not be appropriate for a younger audience though-just a warning.

Sexual Content: moderate (knowledge that two characters had sex, some passionate kissing, and a steamy sex scene that isn't too graphic)
Language: none
Violence: moderate (fighting scenes)
Drugs/Alcohol: mild

A Court of Thorns & Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Published: May 5, 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's
Pages: 419

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

My Thoughts:
This is not YA...is it? It can't be.... really? I think it has got to go under the NA (New Adult-ranges from ages 19+ or "college age") category now. Because I would NOT let a younger teenager read this.

Because WHOA....

Okay I bought this because it's a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, I mean who wouldn't! Sarah J. Maas is an EXCELLENT writer. And the retelling was amazing. I will honestly say I thought it resembled Juliet Marillier's version of Beauty and the Beast, at certain parts but IT'S NOT.

Feyre fights for the survival of her family; after being left destitute due to her father's bad business dealings and debts-Feyre hunts for food and sells what she can for whatever else they need to survive. The dynamics of the family was great and goes along with the oldest stories I've read of Beauty and the Beast. Feyre made a promise to her dying mother to take care of the family, which has kept Feyre going all these years. She is a surviver, she taught her self how to shoot, how to skin hides, and she does this solely for the purpose of her promise to her dying mother.

When Feyre kills a wolf, a HUGE beast/wolf/bear/creature comes for retribution for that kill. Feyre agrees to go with this creature and live in the dreaded faerie lands with no chance of every going home and seeing her family again.

I enjoyed the faerie aspect of this story as I feel it stays true to the original idea that faeries aren't to be trusted. I loved every aspect of the faerie world and all that came with it.

I enjoyed the mystery behind what's killing or taking over the faerie world and the concept behind and involving the faerie world and how it affects the human world. It was amazing and extremely well written.

The romance was awesome in the aspect of a GOOD MAN! I am tired of seeing these girls fall for the "bad guys" and somehow "change" these guys. It's unrealistic but you can have a brooding character who underneath is gentle, good, and kind and I loved that about Tamlin.

I loved Tamlin's character for all the reasons written above. Plus the fact that he was willing to do whatever it takes for the good of his estate and the people on there. He was good man. I liked him.

Overall the story was phenomenal and amazing. However the reason why I could not recommend this to younger audiences is the fact that there is a graphic sex scene. Now, it does NOT go on for pages on end or chapters but it's graphic enough that I would not recommend this to younger audiences. I am disappointed that if this book is considered YA that it would be so graphic.

Sexual Content: heavy (as mentioned above)
Violence: heavy
Language: mild
Drugs/Alcohol: mild/moderate (faerie parties and drinking)

*for those sensitive to that kind of content I would recommend you "OBTAIN" the book before buying it*

Half a King by Joe Abercrombie

Prince Yarvi has vowed to regain a throne he never wanted. But first he must survive cruelty, chains, and the bitter waters of the Shattered Sea. And he must do it all with only one good hand.
 
The deceived will become the deceiver.
 
Born a weakling in the eyes of his father, Yarvi is alone in a world where a strong arm and a cold heart rule. He cannot grip a shield or swing an axe, so he must sharpen his mind to a deadly edge.
 
The betrayed will become the betrayer.
 
Gathering a strange fellowship of the outcast and the lost, he finds they can do more to help him become the man he needs to be than any court of nobles could.
 
Will the usurped become the usurper?
 
But even with loyal friends at his side, Yarvi finds that his path may end as it began—in twists, and traps, and tragedy.

My Thoughts:

Wow.  I've never read anything by Joe Abercrombie before, but that will soon change!  I was hooked after the first couple of chapters.  His writing is just incredible!  Ever have one of those books that it just irks you when you have to stop reading, even for a minute?  That was this book for me.  

It's just so incredibly easy to relate to Yarvi.  He is a king, but has so many insecurities and so much doubt that you just sit there like, "Hey, I totally get this guy."

The secondary characters are equally wonderful.  Especially Sumael.  I absolutely loved everything about her.  This was a nice little nugget of her wisdom: "You can always make enemies of your friends.  Making friends of your enemies is harder labor." Preach. it. girl.

The world building and character building is also amazing.  It was so easy to imagine the surroundings in my mind. 

Another nice thing about HaK: it was clean, for the most part.  

This was just such an amazing fantasy book.  If you like fantasy, or are interested in starting to read fantasy: GET THIS BOOK.

I can't wait to read the next installment!

Sexual Content: mild (don't remember any, but just in case - it gets a "mild")
Language: mild/moderate
Violence: heavy - LOTS of blood
Drugs/Alcohol: mild

Dream a Little Dream by Kerstin Gier

Published: April 14, 2015
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.
Pages: 336

Mysterious doors with lizard-head knobs. Talking stone statues. A crazy girl with a hatchet. Yes, Liv's dreams have been pretty weird lately. Especially the one where she's in a graveyard at night, watching four boys conduct dark magic rituals.

The strangest part is that Liv recognizes the boys in her dream. They're classmates from her new school in London, the school where she's starting over because her mom has moved them to a new country (again). But what's really scaring Liv is that the dream boys seem to know things about her in real life, things they couldn't possibly know--unless they actually are in her dreams? Luckily, Liv never could resist a good mystery, and all four of those boys are pretty cute....

My Thoughts:
Wow. Totally and completely LOVED this! I will go ahead and right off the bat say that Kerstin Gier's writing was better in this one (or maybe it was the translation that got better?) and this story was super fun and unique. I loved it, completely and utterly loved it.

Liv moves around A LOT and just when she thought life was finally going to give her what she wanted, her mother destroys that by getting a boyfriend. Soon Liv starts over at a new school with some crazy hot students that walk in a pact and have some crazy mystery behind them.

When Liv's mom and boyfriend announce that they want to merge family and move in together Liv's life and world changes forever. When Liv falls asleep she has the most insane and detail dream once she wakes up she is not the notice of these 4 good looking boys and their pack. Since then Liv continues to have these crazy dreams that are so real it starts to freak her out, especially when some of these guys say and do things that they couldn't have known about unless they saw her dreams. or.....

The mystery behind the boys and their pack is awesome. The idea of dream walking, although not new, in this story-unique. I loved the romance because it wasn't as cheesy as her first trilogy (Ruby Red) and yet it still had all the aspects I love in a romance.

The ending....whoa. TOTALLY did NOT see that coming. Everything, EVERYTHING about this book I just loved.

I don't want to say too much about it because I don't want to spoil it but I would totally recommend this book! YES!

Sexual Content: moderate (kissing and some talk of sex)
Language: mild
Violence: mild/moderate (attempted murder)
Drugs/Alcohol: moderate (underage drinking)

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

Children can have a cruel, absolute sense of justice. Children can kill a monster and feel quite proud of themselves. A girl can look at her brother and believe they’re destined to be a knight and a bard who battle evil. She can believe she’s found the thing she’s been made for.

Hazel lives with her brother, Ben, in the strange town of Fairfold where humans and fae exist side by side. The faeries’ seemingly harmless magic attracts tourists, but Hazel knows how dangerous they can be, and she knows how to stop them. Or she did, once.

At the center of it all, there is a glass coffin in the woods. It rests right on the ground and in it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointed as knives. Hazel and Ben were both in love with him as children. The boy has slept there for generations, never waking.

Until one day, he does…

As the world turns upside down, Hazel tries to remember her years pretending to be a knight. But swept up in new love, shifting loyalties, and the fresh sting of betrayal, will it be enough?

My Thoughts:  No spoilers here!

OK - this book is a perfect example of “like the story, not the writing style”.  I really enjoyed the story and all of its fairy tale elements, but the style wasn't my thing.  Overall, I would recommend it though.  It’s dark, mysterious, at times disturbing, and fantastical.  *We all know I love a good fantasy/fairy tale (if you didn't, you do now)!*

It started off pretty slow, but once I got into the story I was intrigued.

Ben and Hazel’s living situation made me kind of sad because of the fact that their parents were around without really being around.  In order to deal with this, they rely heavily on their imaginations.  As they grew up, though, they drifted apart and withheld secrets from each other leading to unspoken grudges.

This might seem stupid, but I love the fact that Hazel is the sword wielding knight and Ben is the melodic musical hypnotist.

READ IT!

Sexual Content: Moderate
Language: Moderate/Heavy (I'm not completely sure , but I seem to remember a good bit of language)
Violence: Heavy (at the end - depending on your tolerance level)
Drugs/Alcohol: Moderate

Crimson Bound by: Rosamund Hodge

Publication: May 5, 2015
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 448

When Rachelle was fifteen she was good—apprenticed to her aunt and in training to protect her village from dark magic. But she was also reckless— straying from the forest path in search of a way to free her world from the threat of eternal darkness. After an illicit meeting goes dreadfully wrong, Rachelle is forced to make a terrible choice that binds her to the very evil she had hoped to defeat.

Three years later, Rachelle has given her life to serving the realm, fighting deadly creatures in an effort to atone. When the king orders her to guard his son Armand—the man she hates most—Rachelle forces Armand to help her find the legendary sword that might save their world. As the two become unexpected allies, they uncover far-reaching conspiracies, hidden magic, and a love that may be their undoing. In a palace built on unbelievable wealth and dangerous secrets, can Rachelle discover the truth and stop the fall of endless night?

Inspired by the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, Crimson Bound is an exhilarating tale of darkness, love, and redemption.

(This is a standalone novel, not part of the Cruel Beauty Universe.)

My Thoughts:

Can I just say that I LOVE Rosamund Hodge. She is now on my "must read" authors list.

Here we have another dark fairy tale retelling. Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf.
I was utterly impressed with the amount of imagination and creativity that went into this story.

The characters in the story weren't simple, or even black and white. They were all complex and there was a lot of gray in here.

Rachelle (Little Red) thinks she knows what she is doing. Over estimating herself and a man she meets in the forest she ends up making a deadly mistake, one that would not only cost her, her life but that of another-one whom she loved dearly.

To atone Rachelle throws herself into training and killing evil creatures that come out of the dark forest. The Dark forest is getting stronger and eventually it will take over the kingdom and the world.

Regardless of Rachelle and the fact that she has become part of the forest and bound to an evil king that is trying to return, she fights herself constantly and the evil that is trying to overtake her.

I really liked Rachelle and her constant battle, however I am sad of some of her mistakes. It irritated me that she lasted so long and held out so long but ended up making some pretty stupid choices.

The romance was good and I really REALLY liked Armond and his story, I loved the mystery behind a lot of these characters and the twist Hodge took in regards to a few of the main characters.

Overall this is a very dark retelling and if you enjoy battling evil and fantasy then give this a go.

Sexual Content: moderate (PG-13, kissing, sexual tension, knowledge that 2 characters had sex)
Language: moderate
Violence: moderate (fantasy killings, talk of blood and gore, fighting)
Drugs/Alcohol: mild

Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley (Coming April 28, 2015)

Neil Gaiman’s Stardust meets John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars in this fantasy about a girl caught between two worlds…two races…and two destinies.

Aza Ray is drowning in thin air.

Since she was a baby, Aza has suffered from a mysterious lung disease that makes it ever harder for her to breathe, to speak—to live.

So when Aza catches a glimpse of a ship in the sky, her family chalks it up to a cruel side effect of her medication. But Aza doesn’t think this is a hallucination. She can hear someone on the ship calling her name.

Only her best friend, Jason, listens. Jason, who’s always been there. Jason, for whom she might have more-than-friendly feelings. But before Aza can consider that thrilling idea, something goes terribly wrong. Aza is lost to our world—and found, by another. Magonia.

Above the clouds, in a land of trading ships, Aza is not the weak and dying thing she was. In Magonia, she can breathe for the first time. Better, she has immense power—and as she navigates her new life, she discovers that war is coming. Magonia and Earth are on the cusp of a reckoning. And in Aza’s hands lies the fate of the whole of humanity—including the boy who loves her. Where do her loyalties lie?

My Thoughts: No spoilers because I REALLY want you to read it! 

Same, Emma Stone.  Same.

I picked this book, solely because of the feather on the cover (don't judge me).  Yes. I like feathers.  Some might even go so far as to say I “love” feathers.  I think they are beautiful and amazing.  But I digress… 

I have never, ever read a book like this one.  This story was just so completely original that, despite my initial disdain for Aza (which lessened as the book progressed - I loved her in the end) I was entranced after a few chapters.  As for her name? Aza Ray = beautiful.  Even if she was referred to only as Aza, I called her Aza Ray in my head through the whole book.

Aza is dying of a disease that is so rare it bears her name – although she prefers to call the disease Clive.  Her parents and sister practically live their lives on pins and needles because the smallest thing can set off an episode that will send her to the hospital. 

In the book, it all starts when she sees a very real ship floating in the sky and no one believes her.  They all think it is a hallucination brought on by her medication(s).  She starts to hear her name in the wind, so to speak.  Someone or something is calling to her.  Things continue to get worse until finally, in a horrific, can’t-stop-reading episode - Aza dies.

She wakes up in Magonia (which, by the way, is a place that she and her bff/love interest Jason had discussed (but dismissed) shortly before her death, because he is the only one who will listen to her).  She is a brand new person with strong lungs and a strong body.  And: she’s blue.  *The creatures that inhabit Magonia are simply amazing.  When you read it (which you should) you will understand.*  She is reunited with her mother, from whom Aza was stolen when she wasn't even hatched. (Yes. Hatched.)

Chaos, danger, and high fantasy adventures ensue as Aza tries to discover who she is and where she belongs in her new-found life.  Where are her loyalties?  Who can she trust?  YOU HAVE TO READ IT.

I believe this will be a “love it or hate it” book, whenever it finally catches on.  I sincerely hope it does, because this book deserves so much attention!  I’m totally fangirling over Headley’s writing and I will be finding other works of hers to devour asap.

PS - HarperCollins picked up Magonia & "a sequel", so I can't wait to see where this goes!!!!!

Sexual Content: very mild

Violence: moderate to heavy (depending on your gore tolerance)

Language: mild/moderate (I don’t remember it being that bad)

Drugs/Alcohol: mild (there may not be any at all, but I can’t be 100% sure, sorry)

Fairest (The Lunar Chronicles #3.5) by Marissa Meyer

In this stunning bridge book between Cress and Winter in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles, Queen Levana’s story is finally told.

Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who is the fairest of them all?

Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now. 

My Thoughts:
So good. Sucked me in and I could not stop reading. Why is this labeled 3.5? It's long enough to be a stand-alone and doesn't fall between the 3rd and 4th books. If anything, it's a prequel. And that is my only beef with Fairest.

Meyer so effortlessly gets inside people's heads. Her characters all sound like individuals, dialogue sounds like real people, everyone is well-layered, has depth and meaningfulness and relatability. Seriously, Meyer's characterizations are flawless. Her writing is flawless. I can find nothing at fault here in this book whatsoever. It's beautiful and tragic.

I so pitied Levana. I so sympathized with her and her horrible upbringing and loneliness. Why did no one show her any kindness?

Enter Evert, who is equally tragic but not in an insane way like Levana. The only person to show Levana kindness, ever, was Evret. And for that he doomed himself.

Oh man, just--Everything was So Good! In a horrible, tragic, depressing way. I want to read more. I cannot wait for Winter to come out. I might just be hyperventilating. Come on, Winter! You're killing me, here!

GAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!

Sexual Content: Moderate
Language: Mild (if any)
Violence: Moderate
Drugs/Alcohol: None