A Glorious and Devilish Expanse (Witches if the Isnad, #3) by Katie McGarry

A Glorious and Devilish Expanse by Katie McGarry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this series so much and the 3rd installment had me in so much suspense! The story of Orion & Cassie continues but his malevolent mother has plans that include killing her son, killing Cassie, and killing anyone who is in her way in her to "save" her son. I loved the plot, the characters, and oh the ending was perfect and I was chuckling as I read about Moloch and his charge in the "human world"
As Cassie and Orion battle all that is evil, I rooted they find each other and save the worlds. Totally awesome!

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Ballad & Dagger (Outlaw Saints, #1) by Daniel Jose Older

Ballad & Dagger by Daniel José Older
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide and Rick Riordan Presents for the advance reader copy, Ballad & Dagger (Outlaw Saints, #1) by Daniel Jose Older in exchange for an honest review. This is my 4th Rick Riordan Presents book and I just keep wanting to read more and more of these fantasies about different cultures. I so love Daniel Jose Older books and this new addition to the Rick Riordan Presents series had me turning those pages and loving the thrill of San Madrigal's history (past and present) as Mateo, a music genius who has not spent each day in his community (his parents are doctors who have travelled the world and always had Mateo with them), finds he is one of the key players in Madrigal's future as a healer and much, much more. Another key player is Chela, the rabbi's daughter, and together they get to know each other, and learn more about their powers and the evil that has been a key part of their history. I loved the world Mateo lives in: the food, the music, and the religious and political drama and delicious mystery---Older does such a great job with is words, the characters (Mateo's love of music and family), his plot- this is another winner, a must read for YA!

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Wings of Ebony (Wings of Ebony, #1) by J. Elle

Wings of Ebony by J. Elle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Bahni Turpin, I loved listening to all her voices and this pulse pounding story of Black teen, Rue, whose life is turned upside down when her mother is murdered. Her father who is a god wisks her away to his magic world Ghizon. Going back and forth from her short time in Ghizon to the present where all hell is breaking loose. Rue is never to go back and see her sister, Tasha but she sneaks back on the anniversary of her mother's death and when she touches her sister (which she should never do) her sister becomes a target. Now Rue must come to a decision on how to save her sister and neighborhood --can she use magic and her wits? I loved all the drama and Rue's doubts, allegiances, and smarts. I can't wait for Book 2!

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Wayward Witch (Brooklyn Brujas Book3) by Zoraida Cordova

Wayward Witch by Zoraida Córdova
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As much as I loved the first 2 books in this series, I really enjoyed Rose's adventures in this 3rd series. On her Deathday, Rose confronts her Dad who has returned after 7 years, remembering nothing (or so he says). They are both captured and taken to the kingdom of ADAS and Rose must make a deal woth the king to get her father back and go home. The problem with this kingdom is that any human who eats or drinks their food forgets everything. Since Rose has on a bracelet with charms she is protected, and she begins as Lady Siphon to help other guardians cure the rot that is destroying their kingdom. you will be biting your nails as Rose valiantly tries to overcome and defeat this black rot that is killing and destroying ADAS. A compulsively great read!!! with nods to the importance of family, customs, food, brujas, and more!

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The Shadowshaper Legacy (Shadowshaper, #3) by Daniel Jose Older

Shadowshaper Legacy by Daniel José Older
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this series so much and this 3rd book did not disappoint! Sierra has so much going on as the Lucera, in charge of all things in her world of Shadowshaping, while her brother and boyfriend and another girlfriend, Izzy are in jail. This book also takes the reader and Sierra back to the history (her history) in the world of the Shadowshapers. I could not stop turning the pages as all hell breaks loose, betrayers try to take over and Sierra's control of the Deck of Worlds Cards. Hang on to the edge of your seat for the past colliding with the present. I loved the author's word choice, his world building, the good vs bad fight---if you have not read this series---you must NOW because this is the final thrilling book in the series!!!

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The Burning Shadow (Origin #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Burning Shadow by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG I could not stop reading this book!!! Jennifer L. Armentrout's 2nd Origin book was such a heart stopping mystery and thriller---just like all of her books! Evie really doesn't know who she is, her memories of being someone else will just happen and when she and Luc, the Darkest Star Origin get together, there is always anger, passion, questions, and answers that defy description. The ending is OMG, I just can't believe it---if you love urban fantasy and paranormal romance, this book and the series is the BEST! I can't wait for the final book, it is going to kill me...

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Bruja Born by Zoraida Cordova

Bruja Born by Zoraida Córdova
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this awesome 2nd book in the Brooklyn Brujas series for my empowering female twitter chat with #yearofya to be held on 9/6 at 8PM EST, please join us as we talk titles that feature females in the lead, girls supporting each other or overcoming the many challenges young women face and oh was this book perfect as sisters Lula, Alex and Rose struggle mightily. Lula uses her magic to bring back her boyfriend, Maks, after a bus crash that kills everyone but her. But is that really what happens? As Lula finds Maks and keeps him close, other more sinister things are afoot- why does Lady de la Muerte say Lula has upset the balance? Why does her heart hurt and the magic her family used to heal her not seem to be working? Why does Maks break up with her before the crash telling her "You're not the same person I fell in love with. It's like your fire is gone." Bruja Born was even better than Labyrinth Lost, the female power was strong, wicked, and to know them is to love them.
I loved the relationship between Lula and her sisters as brujas, they fight, they shout, they stick together. Readers will love the addition of the Thorne Hill Alliance and The Knights of Lavant; Nova is back, Lula's Dad has more time but there is still uncertainty about him, and Rose really will surprise everyone! I could not stop turning the pages of this urban fantasy; so looking forward to the 3rd book in this spectacular series (reminds me so much of another series I love-Daniel Jose Older's ShadowShaper series!!!)

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Shadowhouse Fall (Shadowshaper Cypher Book 2) by Daniel Jose Older

Shadowhouse Fall by Daniel José Older
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh boy did I get drawn into Sierra's world once again of shadowshapers and her spirit world, where she and her friends fight to keep the Shadowhouse world intact as other spirits threaten to destroy them and their families. Sierra is one strong Shadowshaper who is not afraid to use her tongue (she is a tough talker) and friends (Juan, Bennie, Izzy, Anthony, Robbie, Mina) to thwart the overthrow of her world. I rooted for her as her friends were thrown in jail or mental institutions, and she still rallied her troops to fight against the Deck of Cards, The Sorrows, and the Hound. I loved Older's world of urban Brooklyn, the spirits (the good and the bad) the shapeshifting and their clashes with the other houses- I could not stop reading---loved the beauty, magic, and urban feel of this urban fantasy- can't wait for #3!!!

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Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, I loved this book about witches (girls are brujas and boys are brujos), magic, and family. Taking place in Brooklyn, Alex does not want the magic that will be hers on her DeathDay ceremony and what she does to stop the magic is horrendous - she inadvertently banishes her family to LosLagos (a magical underworld). In order to get her family back, determined, confused Alex joins with bad boy brujo, Nova and her best friend, Rishi, entering the mysterious underworld and performs much magic trying to defeat the enemies who keep her family and many others prisoners. I loved the Latin American culture, gods and goddesses, and assorted creatures - I look forward to the 2nd book!

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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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