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 False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is more middle school but oh is it GOOD! I think my high school boys (and girls) would love Sage's story. Imagine you are an orphan, busy trying to make ends meet and you are purchased away from the orphanage and you are told by this noble, Conner, you will compete with 3 other orphans to impersonate the supposedly dead prince of Carthya who really was not dead? Nielsen's descriptions of Sage, the other orphans, and Conner grip the reader from the first page and you are in Sage's head and heart as this wild ride of a story unfolds. As I read it I was reminded of The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman and I really enjoyed that book too. Sage was so real as an orphan who is prickly, nasty, honest, the best pickpocket, a faker, a thief but he is also compassionate and will do anything to help someone who is being taken advantage of. The events in the book hurtle along and I was quite content to be surprised, happy, then anguished, then filled with horror. Readers will want to read the next book in the series, The Runaway King.

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