Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maike Moulite and Maritza Moulite

Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maika Moulite
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin TEEN and Inkyard Press for the advance reader copy of Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by debut authors and sisters, Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite. Teens will love this action-packed story, narrated by fearless, sassy Alaine, daughter of a psychiatrist and a famous talk show host mom, who finds herself punished for a school joke by being sent to her parents’ home of Haiti. There was so much to love about this story; the rich past and present history of Haiti, a family curse, strong female characters, and a plot that includes lists, emails, letters, transcripts. This is such a diverse, authentic, multi-faceted book with rich storytelling by the Moulite sisters; I loved the cover, Alaine, her aunts, the beauty and poverty of Haiti and all who work tirelessly for Haiti’s survival. Highly recommended!

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Bright We Burn (The Conqueror's Saga #3) by Kiersten White

Bright We Burn by Kiersten White
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this final audiobook in the Conqueror's Saga- Fiona Hardingham's narration continued to weave such a taut spell-murderous Prince Lada will do anything to prove to the world that her country, Vallacia will not be a vassal state to anyone. She has also gained the fierce love and protection of her people by ruling them with honesty, land, love and the will to survive. Radu is my favorite character and I am so very happy he finds Fatima and unites her with Nasira---when Cyprian appears at the castleOMG- loved that scene. I felt sorry for Mehmed & Lada - they were both powerful but lonely people. Because Lada was constantly fighting against being a woman in their world; she would never have a life with Mehmed or Bogdon. White's book was adventure filled & character driven with chapters bursting with beauty, intrigue, and murderous battles. Such a agreat series; I will miss these characters and their world; highly recommended!

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Dread Nation (Dread Nation #1) by Justina Ireland

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, this audiobook was amazing!!! My fave narrator, Bahni Turpin (she was also awesome with Underground Railroad and The Sun Is Also a Star) was spectacular as Jane McKeene, a totally kick-ass heroine, who lies a lot, is fearsome, will take a dare anytime, anywhere and is thoroughly at ease wielding scythes to put down the "shamblers" the dead who are now infected, have risen up and are roaming the country, swelling in numbers and becoming an overwhelming threat. Negro Jane attends a school in the post Civil War era that trains/arms (and educates) negroes and Native Americans in fending off the shamblers. As Jane prepares to graduate, her old boyfriend, Jackson appears asking for Jane's help to find his little sister and the white family she is living with who have disappeared. This book is an adventure, a horror story, history re-imagined with zombies, with Jane fighting for truth, freedom, becoming friends, being a leader, and always a target by the survivalists who subscribe to hate, lies, violence, and torture. Using her daring do, her very capable mind that is keen on weaponry and the art of battle, Jane strives to escape Summerland with her friends and stop the shamblers. I could not stop listening to this rip-roaring tale which made me laugh, made me cringe, and made me sick with the evil and horrors that lurked (but also lived in plain sight) and I rooted for Jane and her loyal band to succeed; I can't wait for the 2nd in this duology! A must read.

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Sweet Black Waves (Sweet Black Waves #1) by Kristina Perez

Sweet Black Waves by Kristina Pérez
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group and Imprint for the advance reader copy Sweet Black Waves by Kristina Perez in exchange for an honest review. Oh did I revel in the fantasy and magic of this world of kingdoms, kings, queens, lords, and ladies. Based on the star-crossed lovers tale of Tristan and Eseult, Branwen is the cousin, friend and hand-maid of Princess Essy and narrator of this first in a series. I can’t wait for the 2nd book in the series but found the characters of Branwen and Essy difficult to take many times. Essy is a spoiled princess but also very honest that she wants to marry for love (which the king and queen can’t possibly allow) during a time when warring countries need a marriage guranteeing peace. Branwen is Essy’s level-headed cousin who is so consumed with what her country wants that she pushes down her own desires, hides her many lies from those she loves, and sees the course of history being changed (due to something she did). Branwen finds Tristan, half-dead in the sea and rescues him and as she falls for him, she realizes he is their enemy from Kernyv ( killed her parents) but an more importantly an accord between Iveriu and Kernyv will bring peace between their countries. The only true, strong, capable character is Tristan, who remains a force, genuine in his love for Branwen and his power to win Essy’s hand for King Marc, his relative. It is once Branwen uses magic to save Tristan that changes her to an ice queen like the Queen (which was disconcerting and alarming). Any happiness Branwen wants is second to what her country needs. Debut author, Perez is a fantastic world builder with beauty, desire, and danger galore. The ending was devastating, but I will be clamoring for the 2nd in the series!

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Mortal Heart (His Fair Assassin #3) by Robin LaFevers

Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The 3rd and final book in His Fair Assassin series by Robin LaFevers was the best yet- the historical and political intrigue are still in full drama mode with everyone trying to save the Duchess and her Britanny holdings. Annith, sister of Sybella and Ismae, handmaidens of Mortain has been dealt a horrible blow and it is how she deals with this that makes for such a great story, with bone chilling wickedness that she meets head on. I loved this story of Annith and Balthazaar, the supporting priestesses of Arduinna who help the innocent, the Hellequin who are damned to search for souls to return to the afterlife, and LaFevers’ wonderful, satisfying triumph of good over evil, love over hate (I am seeing way too much despair, bullying and deceit in YA today and yearn for YA authors to go back to giving teens something to hope for in books) Highly recommended series!!!

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Dark Triumph (His Fair Assassin #2) by Robin LaFevers

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really really loved Sybella, the plot twists, her revulsion within herself about so many things (being a member of the D'Albret family) but for as low as she got (she would have been willing to kill/die herself) she always HOPED for a better life as a person and Mortain's Assassin. This 2nd book continued the Anne of Brittany story and the machinations of D'Albret to woo Anne, then probably kill her, etc - because this is how he works. He is such a scheming lowlife but he uses fear, punishment and yes, even death (he likes to hurt people) to get what he wants regardless. But Sybella continues where Ismae left off in the first book, as a spy and assassin, for Mortain and the abbess (I really can't stand her and want her gone by the 3rd book!!!) There was so much angst because Sybella's family life is truly horrific but it is her chance of seeing the Beast of Waroch across the battlefield that changes her life and oh did I love his character and how his strength and courage and sheer goodness begin to effect hope and love into her life. Such a great story, looking forward to the last book in the series, already got it from the library! Thank you to #yearofya for challenging me to read this most awesome series!!!!

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