A Vow So Bold and Deadly (The Cursebreaker Series, #3)

A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this final book in the Cursebreakers series! And I only had to wait a week between reading the 2nd book and this one!!! The dread in this book is palpable with LiaMara being at odds with her kingdom and sister who only know violence as a way to rule. Add Grey at her side and the people are angry and afraid of his magic. Rhen has been visited once again by the evil enchantress Lilith (we all thought Grey killed her didn't we) and she goes right to his heart and threatens Harper and Grey! I was sick with her horrors she continues to visit, what will become of Rhen as the time draws nearer to fight against Grey and LiaMara's armies? The suspense was taut throughout this book as the characters battle their own demons and insecurities time and time again. I ached for them and I rooted for them to fight for their loved ones, forgive past transgressions and reach out to each other. This is one of my favorite series and I love their world, LiaMara and Grey and Harper and Rhen and the others like Jake and Noah, Isk and Tycho and other new characters! A must read!

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We Free the Stars (Sands of Arawiya) by Hafsah Faizal

We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 2nd and final book in the series!!! I rooted for Zafira as she battled the book's voices and her own heart while Nasir fights to become a man who is not a weapon for killing, and fights the devastation of his brother, Altair's changing sides. The Lion is a force to be reckoned with and as things go horribly wrong will this threesome be able to overcome the evil that is the Lion and save their people? There was again, perfect worldbuilding, strong characterization, a tantalizing plot that kept me turning the pages and reading late into the night! Highly recommended!!!

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America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellently narrated by Cassandra Campbell; this 23 hour book kept me listening; loving and hating Patsy Jefferson's decisions in life due to her deathbed promise to her mother to watch over her father for life. In the end, I loved Patsy and wept for her life which was so difficult. But Patsy was strong, she was the light of her father's life, even while she was a prisoner in the ethics and government and world of Virginia in Thomas Jefferson's time in government. This thoroughly researched novel by Dray and Kamoie based on Jefferson's letters is eye opening, devastating, and provides a look into America in its democratic infancy and growing pains. An excellent book delving into history and the many men and women responsible for its growth! I will be sharing this book with all my reader friends!

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Bodily Harm (David Sloane, #3) by Robert Dugoni

Bodily Harm by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 3rd book in the David Sloane series; Dugoni's portrayal of David Sloane is perfect; from his days as an orphan to growing up without parents and dealing with those lifelong feelings. He has a temper and is constantly reigning it in and with Dugoni's excellent writing and character development I could not stop turning the pages. This mystery has so much psychological suspense going on with the plot filled with courtroom drama, a toy creator warning of magnets in toys, a cover-up, a psycho killer for hire, and Sloane fighting for his life and his son. Excellent!

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Alter Ego (Jonathan Stride #9) by Brian Freeman

Alter Ego by Brian Freeman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 9th book in the Jonathan Stride series and Cab Bolton's appearance with Maggie investigating together was awesome. There is a movie being produced about one of Stride's cases and Duluth just loves the actors and actresses filming right in their neighborhood. The serial killer's son is the producer and is trying to film uninterrupted but when a teen goes missing and ends up dead leads take Jonathan and Maggie to the film crew. I loved the continued psychological thriller that Brian Freeman excels in with his Stride series! There are the creepy characters, the criminal characters and the regular characters that push the mystery forward and I could not stop turning the pages. I have the 10th and final book to read now, but I don't want Jonathan Stride mysteries to end, what great detective mystery stories!

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Sol Invictus (The Eye of Ra, #2) by Ben Gartner

Sol Invictus by Ben Gartner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I re-read this time travel adventure as part of the #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge for a book published in 2021 and readers will be so excited to dive into this 2nd book in awesome series by Ben Gartner, due out 2/2/21. A powerful continuation in a devouring series for those middle grade readers who love mysteries, adventures, and amazing characters!

Kudos to the awesomeness of this 2nd book in The Eye of Ra series, written by Ben Gartner. The pulse pounding momentum of John and Sarah's adventures continue with the siblings landing in ancient Rome given the daunting task of bringing enemies together and saving the world. Readers will love the Roman gladiators in the ring, fighting with swords and spears. John still wears the pendant of Ra around his neck but others want that pendant and try to steal it. Gartner's new characters comprise the many peoples of ancient Rome; slaves, gods, venatores, gladiators, soldiers, barbarians, kings and princesses. A young boy, Crocus, saves them from becoming slaves of the Emperor Constantius and then oh do the adventures begin! I loved this second book so much and will be waiting in suspense to see where Joan and Sarah's travels take them!

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Amari and the Night Brothers (Supernatural Investigations, #1 by B.B. Alston

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This author debut was compulsively readable and I read it for the #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge. Amari is a 13-year-old, devastated by the loss of her missing brother, and being bullied at school. Amari is determined to try to find her brother, especially when law enforcement has no leads and thinks Quinton has succumb to the dangerous life of their rundown urban neighborhood. Quinton has always been Amari’s best friend and his reputation for excellence in every facet of his life propels Amari to join Quinton’s summer leadership camp; but what a surprise awaits when Amari finds out this camp is supernatural. Alston’s worldbuilding is awesome with the different aspects of the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs; departments, illusions, faeries, werewolves, yetis, snakes and the magical sides of the kids. I rooted for Amari as she is maligned because her magic is considered “black” and many do not want to give her a chance. She learns more about her magic from her partner, Dylan, and roommate Elsie. Readers will be turning the pages with the illusions, magic, creatures, and tests, as Amari and her competitors fight for their place as Junior Agents. I enjoyed the action driven plot, authentic characters, good vs evil and Amari’s growth, resilience, and honesty. I can’t wait for the 2nd book in the series! Highly recommended.

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A Heart So Fierce and Broken (Cursebreakers, #2) by Brigid Kemmerer

A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG what an awesome 2nd book in the series: so much suspense, horror, and psychological torture and at the same time hope, compassion, and courage. I loved the development of Grey and also Lia Mara as they struggle with their roles. This was a very tough read at times but I could not put it down because so much is a stake for them personally and their kingdoms. But the demons and villains are always there, too, with the return of a nemisis at the end! I loved so many of the characters-- Jake and Noah, Tycho, Rhen and Harper and especially the scraver, Iisak! Talk about compulsively turning the pages, I immediately ordered the final book due out 1/26 (thankfully I only have a week to wait) and can't wait. Kemmerer has provided an awesome series; highly recommended!!!

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The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate

The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this beautiful book for the #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge, Animal Main Character and as I loved The One and Only Ivan, so did I love this companion book featuring Ivan, Ruby, and Bob; all these animals stole my heart as well as the hurricane and the effects on the zoo and the community and all was so riveting from Bob's point of view. Bob loves his life with Julia but also suffers lingering trauma from being abandoned at a young age. The issues follow Bob as he navigates life and friendship and family. I really liked the way Katherine Applegate presented the story in snippets -- short sentences as Bob's thoughts and soliloquys unfold. There is so much love, friendship, and bravery, between Ivan, Ruby, and Bob after the hurricane as they race to help others; humans and animals. It is such an inspiring, great book, I can't wait to read it to my granddaughters!!! Highly recommended!

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What's Done in Darkness by Laura McHugh

What's Done in Darkness by Laura McHugh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the advance reader copy, What’s Done in Darkness by Laura McHugh in exchange for an honest review. What an intense look at the psychological trauma of a girl before, during, and after, her kidnapping in a rural farm community where religion is grasped wholeheartedly by members and families and taken to extremes in daily life. Sarabeth is the female protagonist, living with her family in a small town. Suddenly her father injures himself and with his recuperation he undergoes a religious epiphany that Laura’s mother profoundly grasps. Now the normal family she truly loved; Sarabeth sees her books taken away, TV thrown out, switched for a move to a remote farm with no amenities, a new church, fervent sermons, bible readings, and crushing punishments, anger, and distance from her parents. Sarabeth is seventeen and wants to escape this stifling new family dynamic. But before she is able, she is abducted by a masked man, bound, stripped of her clothes, and kept in darkness and silence. After a terror filled week, Sarabeth is released and finds her family and sheriff do not believe her claims of the masked abductor. It is only when advocates finally get to speak with Sarabeth that she is able to flee and begin a new life, away from her family and thankfully, no contact. What I loved about this suspenseful mystery is how McHugh goes back and forth each chapter with Then and Now. This technique is perfect in building the taut uncertainty that permeates this deliciously deceptive thriller as the reader turns those pages in hopes of solving not only Sara’s (she now goes by Sara in a new town, with a new job and life) kidnapping but also other girls. A detective is able to state a case to her for the similarities in other girls’ disappearances. I rooted for Sara and readers will totally engage as the mystery compounds and unfolds. Both absorbing and affecting as a taut psychological mystery; readers will LOVE this riveting read! This book will be available June 2021, preorder it now!

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These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, such a compelling read; I could not put this book down; so many great reviews had me push it to the top of my TBR list and I am so glad I did! I read this as part of #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge, Book set in Another Country, and oh was this Shanghai in the 1920s filled with gore, drama and chaos. Shanghai is a city being tugged at by 2 gangs, The Scarlets and The Whites, and now Russians are infiltrating and trying to unionize the workers in both gangs. Also there is a monster in the river that is making people tear out their own throats; following this mystery and how Juliette and Roma work together, despite their warring gangs, to save lives and end the monster. With the history of Shanghai, the scifi of the monster, I could not put this book down!!! I am trying to understand what the title means... but it is definitely one of my favorite series reads! There is so much visceral, deep seated hatred, anger, despair but also HOPE (in Juliette) and I am rooting for Juliette and Roma and can't wait to see what the next book brings. Highly recommended!

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A High Five for Glenn Burke by Phil Bildner

A High Five for Glenn Burke by Phil Bildner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great read! I read this as part of #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge (Direction in the Title) and 6th grader Silas Wade is such a likeable relatable character with lots of friends and a secret. When he researches Glenn Burke, a baseball player, he finds the challenges Glenn Burke faces on and off the field arresting and surprisingly hits close to home for Silas. With lots of frenetic energy, enthusiasm for baseball, and the need to stand out as the funny guy on his baseball team, Silas also has a strength and fragility. This is such a good book about being true to yourself, being honest and upfront ---Silas' challenges will ring true to middle grade readers; a must read!

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Runaways, Vol. 4: But You Can't Hide by Rainbow Rowell

Runaways, Vol. 4: But You Can't Hide by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The runaways are having some identity problems due to the stress they have been dealing with. Also the subplot with the Giborrem continues and Victor and Chase try to revive the Doombot. A great series, a new illustrator, and a great plot!

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Runaways, Vol. 3: That Was Yesterday by Rainbow Rowell

Runaways, Vol. 3: That Was Yesterday by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love this 3rd book in the Runaways, That Was Yesterday, as Alex returns from the dead, to save the Runaways who don't trust him from the Gibborem who demand a human sacrifice. Victor and Gert become something, what will Chase think? And Nico and Karolina are falling for each other. Lots of other crazy stuff going on, I could not stop turning the pages! On to the 4th book!

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Micah: The Good Girl #2 (Flyy Girls) by Ashley Woodfolk

Micah: The Good Girl #2 by Ashley Woodfolk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read and LOVED this 2nd book in a series, Flyy Girls, by Ashley Woodfolk as part of the #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge. I will also be reading the 3rd and 4th books in this series too! Micah is a good girl who goes to church all the time with her parents but she is also secretly seeing Ty at summer camp where they both have jobs. But the big part of this book is the anniversary of her brother's death which weighs heavy on Micah. She does not always want the attention, interest, or pity about her brother. When she sneaks into her brother's room and finds his sketchbook there is alot she did not know about her brother and she tries to find out. Teens will love this book, middle school will relate as well as it deals with friendship, family, romance, school and death. Despite the drama, there is redemption and the positive meanings throughout this series, I highly recommend it!

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My Contrary Mary (Mary #1) by Cynthia Hand

My Contrary Mary by Cynthia Hand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the advance reader copy, My Contrary Mary by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, & Jodi Meadows in exchange for an honest review. I have listened to and loved the 3 previous audiobooks from Hand’s Jane series. When I saw the NetGalley email about My Contrary Mary, I jumped on to listen to this new series. But I did not see that this book was a voice galley with a synthetic voice until I tuned in to listen. I definitely would not recommend this way to listen to the book! The pacing was off, there was no tone and inflection, and was not a great way to listen to this book.
That said, I am going to ignore all the ways to review this book as an audio book and will just review the story which was so awesome! Hand, Ashton & Meadows really know how to re-write interesting history, making it funny yet true to history with a few differences. The plot line continues from previous books using the exciting, humorous, and fantastical Ethyans who shapeshift from human to animal. Also ingenious is the is the authors’ (as narrators) comments throughout the book. The many puns and references to modern day phrases and songs were perfect and added so much to my enjoyment of the book, the characters, and their lives in history. Mary Queen of Scots was sent at a very young age to live in France and always knew she was to marry her childhood friend, Francis, Dauphin of France. With villainy and much conspiracy, both Mary and Francis have many plotting against them as rulers. Luckily Mary has her ladies in waiting (all shapeshifters) who try to protect her, and what a job it is! Luckily Mary has Ari and her father who use potions and can see into the future or foretell danger. The drama and excitement in this first of another series by Hand will surely turn history on its head and have teens totally enjoying and understanding the history of royals. Highly recommended!


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Runaways, Vol. 2: Best Friends Forever by Rainbow Rowell

Runaways, Vol. 2: Best Friends Forever by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am really enjoying this series! I love learning more about their back story, about their pasts, and now their present. Vol 2 has the same gang of Nico, Karolina, Gertrude, Chase, Molly and Victor. As usual there is lots of drama, should Victor get a body to attach to his head, and will Julie Powers become one of the gang? Can we trust Molly's best friend, Abigail and what happens when Gert and Victor time travel? Jumping right into Vol. 3 & 4, great reads!!!

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Lux: The New Girl #1 (Flyy Girls) by Ashley Woodfolk

Lux: The New Girl #1 by Ashley Woodfolk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Teens will love this series about black girls who excel and love many different forms of art in an art school located in Harlem. I read the first book, Lux: The New Girl #1 (Flyy Girls) as part of the #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge, 2 Books by Same Author (I will be reading the 2nd one soon, can't wait!) Lux has anger issues, lots going on in school-bullying and fighting, and a Dad with a new family. As Lux is introduced she is fighting a girl who has been bullying her; Lux is suspended and her mom at her wits end, send Lux to live with her Dad with the threat if this new school does not work out she will be sent to military school. What follows is lots of drama for Lux as she navigates her new life with her father. Very readable and enjoyable!

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Runaways, Vol. 1: Find Your Way Home by Rainbow Rowell

Runaways, Vol. 1: Find Your Way Home by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I got hooked on the 5th Runaways graphic novel so I am going back to the 1st and reading all 4! I know there are others too so I will be signing up to read them, I love Rainbow Rowell and the 1st graphic novel I read, Pumpkinheads, made it easy to make it my reading mission to read any and all of her graphic novels. The characters are many and varied and I like their chemistry and angst as they try to make their way in the world because their past is just too awful.

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Victor and Nora: A Gotham Love Story by Lauren Myracle and Isaac Goodheart

Victor and Nora: A Gotham Love Story by Lauren Myracle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read and LOVED this graphic novel as part of the #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge-Books with a Name in the Title. I loved Victor and Nora, both with devastating secrets, and the lead up (backstory) to Victor as Mr. Freeze in Gotham City verse...I really hope there are more graphic novels from Lauren Myracle, her words and the characters' interactions is simply compelling and I loved Isaac Goodheart's riveting illustrations; a must read!

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Brethless by Jennifer Niven

Breathless by Jennifer Niven
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of the #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge for the One Word Title book. I love Jennifer Niven's books; they grab me, they dash me to the depths with sorrow and angst but always with hope, courage, and finding ones' self. Claude meets Jeremiah Crew after she and her mom run to seek solace from her father deciding to separate himself from Claude and her mom. Miah is an Outward Bound scout but he is so much more than that, as he honestly adores Claude (Captain is an affectionate nickname), sees the real Claude, accepts the real Claude and takes her on wonderful adventures that include so much more than sex; roaming the island historic homes, finding the ghosts, watching the tortoise's lay eggs, swim, ride bikes and so much more. Both are leaving in August for their future so they are very much aware they have no future; but what happens if they fall in love? Teens will love this book for the drama, summer fun, romance, family angst and so much more!

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My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton by Stephanie Dray

My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton by Stephanie Dray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG such a great read, that plunged my heart many times into a thousand pieces but also lifted my listening pleasure as I listened to and loved Narrator, Cassandra Campbell as Betsey/Eliza throughout her years with and without Alexander Hamilton. There was so much I did not know about American History and the founders and so much I learned. And what was even more crazy was the time period Eliza lived in with young America establishing itself after war with England and trying desperately to preserve their freedom while others tried to wipe it out was so close to what is going on today in our government! I will definitely be reading other Stephanie Dray books; her research is thorough, exhausting and needed!. I will want to read more about Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison as a result of Eliza's musings, interactions, and relationships with these icons of history. Many thanks to Pat Graham for recommending this book and to my librarian friend, Randi Wall for her thoughtful insights as I pelted her with questions and dashed hopes while listening to this must read book.

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Runaways Vol. 5: Canon Fodder (Runaways) by Rainbow Rowell

Runaways Vol. 5: Canon Fodder (Runaways by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

LOVED this Rainbow Rowell graphic novel; I read it as part of the #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge. Los Angeles is in grave danger and Doc Justice recruits the Runaways as the J-Team to help him conquer the evil that threatens. Read this graphic novel to find out how our friends do when the time is right.

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Cloud Hopper by Beth Kephart

Cloud Hopper by Beth Kephart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Beth Kephart's books like Small Damages and Going Over and this gem is so so good. Three misfits living in a small town that lives hot air balloons sees and rescues a girl, cloud hopper who falls from the sky. Talking amongst themselves they try to find out more about this silent girl, where she is from, who she is and why no one is looking for her. I fell in love with K, Sophie and Wyatt, their friends and Sophie's grandmother. This is a must read that will be cherished by middle grade and YA readers. I read this book as part of the #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge.

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#Murderfunding (MurderTrending, #2) by Gretchen McNeil

#Murderfunding by Gretchen McNeil
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This 2nd book in the MurderTrending series has Becca devastated by her mother's sudden death, a teen (Steph) stalking her who informs her that her mom was Molly Mauler, one of the true serial killers on the Alcatraz 2.0 show. Yearning to prove Stef wrong about her mom, Becca and Steph, become contestants on the WELCOME TO WHO WANTS TO BE A PANIAC? reality show, becoming friendly with the other contestants, until the awful "reality" of this show makes them targets. Will the teens be triumphant and how much will be taken from them? This mystery received 2020 Teens' Top Ten and is a book I read as part of the #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge.

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Surrender (Steel Brothers Saga, #6) by Helen Hardt

Surrender by Helen Hardt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Now Dr Carmichael and Jonah work together to try to unravel the past Steel family mysteries...

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Burn (Steel Brothers Saga, #5) by Helen Hardt

Burn by Helen Hardt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oldest Steel brother Jonah is still trying to figure out the mystery of his family. There are things afoot involving Dr. Melanie Carmichael, Talon's childhood abduction, while mysteries keep taunting the brothers.

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