Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J Maas

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh boy did I LOVE this 3rd book in Throne of Glass & Sarah J. Maas's writing, her worlds, her characters are addicting; I could not put this book down!!! Celaena vows to avenge Nemiah's death and goes to Wendlyn to find Maeve & information on the Wyrdkeys. She is trained by Rowan who has sworn a blood oath to Maeve (Celaena's mother kept her away from Maeve, hated Maeve). As she becomes stronger, Chaol, Dorian and her cousin, Aedion plot against the king. Oh there is so much horror, sorrow, angst, secrets, lies, romance...Can't wait to read the 4th book!

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Hold Me Like a Breath (Once Upon a Crime Family #1) by Tiffany Schmidt

Hold Me Like a Breath by Tiffany Schmidt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this series debut novel, Once Upon a Crime Family, Hold Me Like a Breath by Tiffany Schmidt! Penelope Landlow is part of this crime family which includes the Landlows and the Wards with her father as the head and two other families in various parts of the country who deal in organ parts on the black market. Penelope also has a life threatening condition leaving bruises all over her body, making her a constant pincushion and transfusion queen. So imagine how seriously anyone takes her with her health problems, the bubble world she lives in, and the home schooling she has been receiving for years with her dreaded tutor. When her world is turned upside down & inside out, how will she cope, figure out who is responsible, and stay healthy? I really liked Penelope; she was a fighter, took her family's advice, remembered it, and when her world shatters - used it to make her stronger as she entered a whole new world - "Keep your back to the wall. Face the entrances. See everyone before they see you." I am looking forward to Part 2 of this series! There was drama, suspense, and lots of suspense, looking forward to more of this series.

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Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just loved being able to read all three of these books one right after the other!!! As the Darkling rules the capital, Mal helps Alina look for the amplifier to help her solidify her power. The drama of the Darkling, his power to still sway Alina and Mal's unhappiness as the head of her guard really propelled the Grisha world forward as magic fights to control the worlds for all the wrong reasons. Alina makes many mistakes, will this affect her in her fight against control by the Darkling, with Mal? I could not put this book down, the whole series is one of my favorites, and Bardugo's fantasy, romance, and world building mesmerized and astounded, spine tingling suspense - that is all I have to say, highly recommended!!!

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Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This 2nd book in the Grisha series just swept me along like Six of Crows and Shadow and Bone! Alina and Mal are running from the Darkling since he wants to rule the world with Alina and use her power for evil. Captured by the Darkling and commandeered by a pirate, Sturmhold, will Alina and Mal be at his mercy? There were so many great characters, so much more terror visited on the Grisha, and the world of Ravka has become ground zero for the Darkling's evil intentions. Alina now has a following as The Sun Summoner and many believe she is a saint. For Alina and her thorny personality being a saint is the last thing she needs as she tries to deal with all that is asked of her. As she looks for an amplifier to solidify her magic and power, what will she have to sacrifice? Looking forward to jumping right into Book 3, loved Bardugo's worlds of magic, different types of Grisha, and Alina's search for self as she continues to fight the lure of the Darkling's power.

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Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows as part of The Hub Challenge and as a result of reading her this book spectacularly awesome book I knew I just had to delve into the books BEFORE Six of crows! I became intensely interested in the grisha and a friend told me how absorbing the characters, the worlds of Grisha, the armies, and the Darkling were... We find orphans, Mal and Alina living under a benevolent duke who has his orphans checked at a certain age to see if they are Grisha and if they are they will enter the world of the Darkling and their skills will be honed. Alina and Mal are found to be average and sent to serve in the army where Mal excels and Alina misses their friendship of younger days. While on a ship passing through The Fold as the Volcra attack, Alina is able to summon light and repel the Volcra. Immediately she becomes a Grisha and part of The Darkling's world and boy does he have plans for her (but will Alina want to be a part of his deadly intentions???) Will Alina and Mal find each other? I am so lucky to jump into Book 2 since all 3 books in the series have been published- that is the nice thing about series (not having to WAIT for the next to come out)!!!

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The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski

The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, loved this series, love Kestrel and Arin, could not stop reading the drama of war, treachery, lying, secrets, and betrayal. As Arin readies for war, becomes one with his "war" god and finally believes he has rid himself of any feelings for Kestrel after her last betrayal. Kestrel has not married the Prince and was put in chains by the emperor and her father and send to the tundra prison. The heart pounding does not stop throughout this whole book; will Arin & Kestrel find each other again; can they even stand each other, and who will win the war? Highly recommended series, I am excitedly looking for more books from Marie Rutkoski. Will be including this thriller in my #yearofya twitter chat, Tuesday 4/26 at 8pm, join the discussion!

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Gilt Hollow by Lorie Langdon

Gilt Hollow by Lorie Langdon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Zonderkudz-Books and Blink for providing an advance copy of Gilt Hollow by Lorie Langdon. Mysteries are my favorite genre and teen mysteries like Gilt Hollow will be a favorite for YA readers. Lorie Langdon’s small town of Gilt Hollow seems to be a nice town for all who live there but we find out very quickly there are many lies, secrets, and threats that could shatter this small town along with Willow and those she loves. Willow Lamott grew up inseparable from Ashton Keller. Willow continued to stand up for Ashton when his friend dies at a favorite watering hole with Ashton taking the responsibility while his three friends blame him for pushing Danny off the cliff. It is after spending four hellish years in juvie that a changed Ashton returns to Gilt Hollow to find the real killer. I could not put down this suspenseful mystery with the town and high school hating Ashton, causing Willow to question her feelings for Ashton, all the while confiding to him about threatening texts and notes. I kept turning the pages as the clues seem to once again condemn Ashton with the police taking him in for questioning time and time again. Langdon did an awesome job of creating rules follower, A-type Willlow, and hero, Ashton, who can’t always harness his rage and digs deeper holes for himself. I loved following their drama, ached for the fear and frustration these teens worked through to try to follow clues and find answers to lies, mysteries, and murder. This is a riveting thriller and will keep YA mystery lovers turning the pages; highly recommended!

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The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Jennifer Lynn Barnes books and I am so glad to see it is a series! When Tess leaves her grandfather on his farm; taken by her sister, it should be fine, right? Well, Tess has not seen her sister in years;the larger than life, Ivy Kendrick, has a very successful business in Washington, D.C. as a "fixer" and left Tess soon after their parents died. Now in high school, used to caring for her grandfather slipping into dementia, Tess is constantly angry at her sister for so many things. But as a friend in her new high school seeks her help, Tess gets Ivy involved and that does not turn out like Tess thought it would. Barred from asking questions, Ivy tells Tess & her friends to let her figure it out. All the while, murders are occurring and Tess learns more about how her sister fixes things and her life. I could not stop reading this book and I can't wait for #2!!! Like all of her series mysteries, this book is highly recommended!

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Bang (Visions #2) by Lisa McMann

Bang by Lisa McMann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another mystery I read as part of twitter chat with #yearofya April 26 at 8pm EST! I read the first Visions Novel and LOVED it, this 2nd continues with Jules and Sawyer but it seems after her last vision, Jules passed on visions to Sawyer and he his constantly seeing a school shooting. Determined to help him at all costs (because she is grounded for life- her family detests Sawyer's family) and she ends up asking her brother Trey for his help as well. Jules' romance with Sawyer is swoon worthy but both families parents are crazy!!! Thankfully Jules, Trey and her sister, Rowan are normal and highly supportive of helping each other even if it means lying and covering for one another. The spine tingling drama, visions, and heart stopping mystery kept me turning the pages and I highly recommend anything Lisa McMann writes, I am still in love with Janie and Cabel from the Wake series!!! Teens will love the tension of home life, school, working and relationships! A top notch thriller, highly recommended

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Boy Nobody by Allen Zadoff

Boy Nobody by Allen Zadoff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had this on my TBR shelf but with April as mystery month with my twitter book club #yearofya, I pushed it forward and boy am I glad I did! Talk about a thriller; you have a teen assassin who completes his missions (get in quickly, don't be noticed, befriend the target, kill, & leave unnoticed) for The Program which has a very very dark side. "Boy Nobody" gets his information in coded texts & calls from Mom and Dad and the latest is to kill the mayor of NY. But this mission is unusual, he has only 5 days to complete it and with this come questions about his life both before and during his time with The Program. Zadoff created a very believable teen assassin, the chapters, the boy's thoughts and words are all short & clipped creating a very tense atmosphere with each page. I am looking forward to more in this series!

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The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie Mclemore

The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this audiobook, one of my favorites; the magical realism reminded me of Bone Gap by Laura Ruby but the carnival traveling shows reminded me of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern! This is also part of the Hub Challenge, Morris Award winner I am involved in completing. There are 2 rival shows - the acts of the Paloma's are mermaids and the Corbeau's are birds and along with this is a long history of hatred, lies, secrets, taboos & suspicions. Enter Lace (a Paloma) and Cluck (a Corbeau) who happen to save each other on separate occasions. From this meeting, all of the sick family history and taboos sever Lace from her family but luckily she secretly works for the Corbeau family as a make-up artist. And it is here that Lace & Cluck fall in love and the long standing myths are tested, revealed, and overflow in a magnificent scene where Lace & Cluck take on both families. McLemore's plot, setting, imagery, dialogue and language (French & Spanish) drew me in and had me rooting for Lace & Cluck. Especially beguiling were the narrators, Kirby Heyborne and Cynthia Farrell, they brought this magical world to life and continued the fantasy as each chapter unfolded and the reader was plunged into this world of urban fantasy. Highly recommended!!!

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Conviction by Kelly Loy Gilbert

Conviction by Kelly Loy Gilbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for 2 reasons - first as part of the Hub Reading Challenge and Morris Award and second as part of the #yearofya April mystery month - this book I listened to is recommended for lovers of Harlan Coben's psychological thrillers. And boy do I agree! The narration by Michael Crouch was oh so awesome! I could not stop listening as teen Braden tells of his life with his father who is a powerful (and very flawed) religious speaker and his passion for baseball and God. He also tugs at your heart when he describes how his brother Trey (also flawed but due to father calling him "a bad person" his whole life) abandons him and he yearns for his companionship over the years. There is an accident and Braden's dad is arrested for killing a policeman with his car and Braden is key to his father's defense. When Trey comes home as his guardian, there is so much anguish in that house; I hoped for redemption for Trey and Braden. But Gilbert's debut is an awesome, anguishing look at the secrets and perverseness of religion and families/fathers. Loved this book but ached for Braden, such a sympathetic character.

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Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina

Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read the latest awesome Meg Medina book, Burn Baby Burn, as part of mystery month for #yearofya . Taking place in 1977 this winner of a book is definitely historical fiction (urban fiction, multicultural fiction) but the mystery part encompasses who was committing the murders (& paralyzing NY) as well the psychological (torturous) aspect of Nora's painful home life as it descends into horror (is Hector starting fires, dealing drugs, getting more violent & uncontrollable) with each day. Nora can't confide in her best friend, Kathleen, or co-worker (love interest), Pablo because her mother Mima, hides behind what Hector is becoming with lies and coverups, blames Nora for everything & scares her with her old world cultural beliefs and taboos. I rooted for Nora's bad luck to change, for Nora to face her fears, and REACH like Ms Friedmor encouraged. Meg Medina's description of 1977 New York during a harrowing dangerous time immersed me in the urban neighborhoods with their stores, parks, schools, discos and neighbors, friends & families feeling the heat, desperation & people at their best & worst. A thrilling read, highly recommended for YA and adults!

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Found (#3 Mickey Bolitar) by Harlan Coben

Found by Harlan Coben
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I will enjoy discussing this mystery with #Yearofya on 4/26 at 8pm. If you love mysteries, join in this twitter chat! I loved this 3rd book in the Mickey Bolitar series & I certainly hope there will be a #4. Mickey and his friends Ema, Rachel, and Spoon continue to help save/rescue others as part of The Abeona Shelter network, help Ema find a lost online boyfriend, and Mickey continues to try find out more about his father's death. There was right amount of tension, drama, mystery, gore, and scary moments; I look forward to more YA mysteries from Harlan Coben!

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The Heir (The Selection #4) by Kiera Cass

The Heir by Kiera Cass
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this 4th audiobook in The Selection and now I can't wait until #5 is out in May. Brittany Pressley is an awesome narrator who has the petulance and selfishness of Princess Eadlynn down perfectly. As the selection takes place for the princess to choose a mate from a pool of 25 eligible young men while hoping to calm down the growing angst in the kingdoms, the princess is going to appease her parents but toys with not choosing anyone at all. Like all the other books in this series, Cass holds the reader spell bound with many characters vying for the princess' attention while she juggles learning to run a kingdom, have a life and choose a mate. Looking forward to listening to #5 in May!!!

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This Raging Light by Estelle Laure

This Raging Light by Estelle Laure
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG I loved this book! Lucille and Wren have been abandoned by both parents, they don't know where they are, when they are returning, it doesn't get much worse. When money runs out and the bills are due, Lucille gets a job and her best friend, Eden, watches Wren until she can't anymore. What is even more complicated is that Lucille is irrevocably in love with Eden's twin, Digby, who has a girlfriend. This story will tear at your heart, you will rage at why life sucks for these girls but you will also root for them as some pretty amazing "things" begin to happen to/for Lucille & Wren. I could not put this book down, I loved the characters, their lives were real, gritty and once they stopped keeping secrets, life became a little bit more bearable for them as they found out the true meaning of family. It takes a village. Highly recommended!!!

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Sacred Heart by Liz Suburbia

Sacred Heart by Liz Suburbia
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read this graphic novel for The Hub Alex Award and I was disappointed with the storyline. I needed more interaction with the many plot lines and their characters. This graphic novel got high praise but I finished the book wanting MORE that the illustrations and story line did not deliver.

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All In (The Naturals #3) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

All In by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this 3rd book in The Naturals series and I love Jennifer Lynn Barnes' writing. It is suspenseful, psychologically thrilling and disturbing and the teens in this series just keep getting better as the reader gets to know them more with each book. As the teens profile a series of serial killings in Las Vegas, they uncover so much more than the FBI ever thought was involved in the case. Also Cassie's mother's remains are discovered and this adds another layer to Cassie's anxiety but also reminds her that these teens are her friends and "home" which means everything to Cassie. Also Sloane who finds patterns in numbers is really helpful with Fibonacci spirals and patterns. Sloane also meets her brother, Aaron (who wants to get to know her) & her father who just wants her gone from his sight and his casino. I am really looking forward to #4 but I am also going to read her new book in a series, The Fixer. All these mysteries will be discussed 4/26 in a twitter chat #yearofya at 8PM EST. If you like mysteries (my fave genre) read some in April and
join in the discussion!

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