I Give You Peace by Diane DiSerafino

I Give You Peace by Diane DiSerafino
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Donna Gola for giving this debut author book to read. I really enjoyed the plot and characters in I Give You Peace. There are many universes and Alex and Leonard are experimenting to bring world peace to New Philadelphia located in the Tertius universe. But things are not proceeding as planned for many reasons and as we meet a few of the subjects in this grand experiment the reader roots for "real peace" not enforced peace. I loved all the Philadelphia places, the cover is perfect, and technology must be watched. I look forward to other books by Diane DiSerafino!

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House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City, #2) by Sarah J. Maas

House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I will begin by saying I LOVE all Sarah J Maas books and I pre-order the series books so I can get to turning those pages and reading all about the romance, adventure, suspense, bullying her characters try to rise above. That said, I hate this ending and I will beseech Ms Maas to end her books with some kind of great redemptive cliffhanger or resolution that puts a smile on the readers face. This ending was none of that! In the times we live in, fraught with all kinds of angst, this reader goes to books for GREAT endings, and this book was so not that. I fell in love with the plot, characters and all they had to fight through because there was so much mystery, lies, etc. But I still could not stop reading this awesome book, just couldn't you have found a better way to keep me hanging on?

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The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Frankie Corzo; Petra uses English and Spanish, her grandmother's folktales, the great folktales of the world, and her ingenuity and bravery to thwart the evil collective she has woken up to. All that Petra was told would happen as her family and special chosen others journey in a sleep state to a new planet are gone when she wakes up to a whole new world. There is a lot going on in this dystopian sci fi journey but listening to it as Petra's life as Zeta 1 unfolds was gripping & suspenseful with the beauty, honesty and reality in Petra's dreams and family stories. I loved many of the characters, Petra's guts, and her dogged determination to find a world where she might bring/tell her storytelling and folktales.

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Apex (Hunter, #3) by Mercedes Lackey

Apex by Mercedes Lackey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This final book in the series, awesomely narrated by Amy Landon, had me reeling. I really enjoyed Joy's hounds and in this book they shine with all they can do to help their handlers---because Drift and an evil Folk Mage are out to end the Hunters and take over. Joy also is approached by Josh to help him, Drift wants to recruit him and Josh knows what it means--- he will die like the others...As Joy hides him in the Drift (it was amazing how she accomplished this---her hound turns into a human impersonating Josh, and he is spirited away. But as the fighting with more and more creatures becomes deadly to the Hunters, Joy turns to her Folk Mage for help and this results in an epic cover-up by Drift and her team. Hold on, this last book moves quickly! I wish there was going to be another book in this series because there are still unanswered questions and more drama in Apex!

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Elite (Hunter, #2) by Mercedes Lackey

Elite by Mercedes Lackey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow this audiobook read by Amy Landon has me hooked! Now the Joy knows Ace (and others) is out to get her, she decides to become Elite where she will no longer have to care about ratings; she will be hunting with an Elite crew all the time---I really liked her new friends like Hammer, Steel and her romance with Josh hits bumps because the head of Psicore, Drift is doing some very unorthodox stuff to her teams and when they begin to turn up Joy is the one finding them! There is also a Folk Mage who seems to want to help her, what will Joy do? I can't wait for the 3rd book, Apex in this series!

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The Scourge by Jennifer A. Nielsen

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

I loved Ani and her best friend, Weevil's, unwavering support of one another in Nielsen's crossover book (teens and middle grade) that has them being captured, sent to an island where only scourge victims go, and seeing firsthand the abuse of power that an out of control governor wields against unsuspecting victims and the people she governs. This book reminds me of some of the overwhelming feelings that people are grappling with during Covid; but Ani is an unstoppable force and I rooted for Ani, Weevil and their constant striving to find out what was going on on this island! Also, Nielsen keeps prominent throughout this book that these kids have families who care about them, that Ani ad Weevil (and prisoners on the island) are proud of their heritage---river people are not GRUBS and that all people deserve to be seen- even the wardens! This book is another winner from Jennifer A. Nielsen---highly recommended!!!

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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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We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had no idea this was the beginning of a new series!!! I loved the narration by Kyla Garcia, the strong and multifaced character, Dani, who must never let anyone know where she really came from; even more intriguing was the inner dialog from Dani as she shed or donned her faces---she was such a winner at graduation she lands the highest role, Primera, to the highest ranking political family while also having to deal with her enemy, Carmen, being chosen as the Segunda (the wife who bears the children) in the Garcia home. I bit my nails as Dani spied for La Voz and at the same time warred with hating and being fearful while wanting to do so much more to help with the movement. The characters were all so interesting; Medio was a place of magic and beauty but there were so many who suffer under harsh government control, a wall, and lives lost due to no medicine or hospitals. I was not entirely sure about Carmen and their insta-friendship. She made 5 years of Dani's life hell, so I am going to wait until the 2nd book and see what really continues for Dani and Carmen. An exciting, thrilling read!

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The Toll (Arc of the Scythe #3) by Neal Shusterman

The Toll by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh the narration of this awesome 3rd book in the Arc of a Scythe series was my favorite & it is because of Greg Tremblay's superlative narration of so many wonderful, awful characters!!! This final book was a nail biter with so much going on with The Toll, The Thunderhead, Scythe Anastasia and Scythe Lucifer (loved them!!!) and don't forget awful Goddard and his belief in himself alone!!! Shusterman wrote such a great series (just like his Unwind Dystology), I will read anything he writes because he is that good- his worlds & words suck you right in!!! While the world is dive bombing--- forces (Goddard) are working against the Tonists while Grayson (The Toll) travels the world helping the Tonists; all I can say about this book & series is---it is MASTERFUL, ENJOYABLE, THRILLING and a MUST READ!

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The Hive by Barry Lyga

The Hive by Barry Lyga
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this awesome page turned by one of my fave authors, Barry Lyga, for the Oct twitter chat with #YearofYA which includes any kind of creepy mystery scifi books - come join us Thursday 10/24 at 8PM EST. But about this book---Cassie is deeply angry due to her father's death 6 months ago (he was famous hacker Harlon Mckinney and Cassie spent her life right next to him as a coder, hacker, social media king). In a new school with no friends and still really angry, Cassie spurns a new friend and joins with a mean girl coven, and remains ridiculously callous toward her mom and life. One awful jokes gets Cassie noticed, not in a good way, and in days she is being vilified by the HIVE, loses her few friends, her mother and must run for her life because the HIVE wants her dead. This was a deliciously creepy, thrilling page turner on the world as it exists with social and political upheaval, mob justice, apathy abounding, and violence just around the corner. I ached for Cassie's grief and rooted for her anger to leave, a great book teens will be passing around!

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Nevernight (The Nevernight Chronicle #1) by Jay Kristoff

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I liked this 1st in the series for many reasons but I gave it a 4 because of the awfulness of the Red Church higher ups who time and again threatened the Acolytes in such a heinous manner I almost put this book down. But I kept reading because I really rooted for Mia Corvere and not her wanting to exact justice for her family but in spite of everything she really tries to be a good person & not a STONE COLD KILLER!!! I couldn't stomache Mother Drusilla, Jeesamine, Shahiid Mouser, Shahiid Solis, Weaver Marielle, and her brother, Speaker Adonai ---it seemed messed up to be this awful... & even Darkling Cassius did not help her understand who she was and they were both Darklings!!!Thank God for Naev and Tric and Lottie, Mr. Kindly. I am going to keep reading but I reserve the right to put this series down if it continues in the evil vein. I want to believe kick ass Mia will find true friendship, hope and a degree of happiness as a killer.

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The Everlasting Rose (The Belles, #2) by Dhonielle Clayton

The Everlasting Rose by Dhonielle Clayton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read and loved the 1st book in the series; but I listened to this 2nd book and did not like Rosie Jones' narration at all; she fractured words and pronunciations and that took away so much from my listening pleasure. I loved Camellia, Remy, and Edel plus the Iron Ladies; they were strong characters and had a sympathetic side. Clayton's depiction of the horrors of striving only for beauty was a perfect depiction in the awful maniacal Sophia. Also in how far afield the lives of the Belles had been tampered with over history, clothed in mystery and lies by Madame. I rooted for the Belles, Camellia, Remy and Princess Charlotte.

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The Belles (Book 1 The Belles) by Dhonielle Clayton

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Maureen Wehmeier for her great review on this book! I really enjoyed the premise of this book, the Belles and what they stand for and most of all Camellia's personality as she struggles and grows in her world as a Belle and then as a Favorite. Oh I did not like the Belles and what they were supposed to be honored to do to their clients! I did not trust anyone in Orleans and their lives were sick, full of wanting to be something they were not, but also so much vanity, bullying, vindictiveness and fawning over the wrong people. This fantasy sucked me in, can't wait for the second book and fingers crossed for Camellia and her sisters and I hope the princess gets all that is coming to her!

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Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Dry by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh wow, what a listen- it was really tough, narrators were excellent, and really gives one much thought for the future. I loved the narrators- they did such an awesome job with a tough subject: Neal Shusterman, Jarrod Schusterman, Jenni Barber, Michael Crouch, Noah Galvin, Kivlighan de Montebello, Candace Thaxton. So get ready for a sickening wild ride...Alyssa, her brother, Jacqui and Kelton must face so many fears as they battle to find water during the TAP Out in their home town located in California.

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This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada

This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was packed with science fiction (advanced science and technology) so much so I couldn't plow through it because I really had to slowly read to understand all the terms, how they evolved, how they were existing in the world for example: gene technology allowing people to program & hack their bodies, and downloading vaccines, cures, hormones as apps on a panel implanted on one's arm. When a virus threatens to destroy the world, tough, determined Catarina Agatta is the one who might be able to save it. This was a thriller I could not put down, I was on a constant roller coaster as I read it, and will be pre-ordering the 2nd book in this series- many thanks to debut author, Emily Suvada for her knowledge of science and data and code---her book was explosive in all that it covered! The dystopian world Suvada crafts is so chilling, the characters so thoroughly fleshed, the plot intriguing and horror-filled when contemplating just how deranged those in power (or wanting power) will be to control the vaccine that will conquer the virus. Highly recommended scifi read!

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Thunderhead (Arc of the Scythe 2) by Neal Shusterman

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think I really want to give this 2nd in the Arc of a Scythe series a 3.5 rating. I found it tough to read for 2 reasons, the first being all the Thunderhead ramblings (I was not a fan of his persona throughout the book) and the many drawn-out descriptions of places, happenings, details of the worlds Shusterman wants the reader to know to get the world of the Thunderhead, the Scythes, The Blades, Unsavories, and oh yes, the common man. I am not sure teens will hang in there and read all this in-depth description over and over again and it happens throughout the whole novel. Even though I knew this was a dystopian novel (and I love dystopian novels), I found my self putting down my kindle ALOT because the hatred, misery, and horrific "things" happening all the time caused me to question if it was all that necessary (Examples Greyson Tolliver, Rowan, and Tyger) for a GOOD dystopian read. I wanted to see so much more of Citra, Greyson, Rowan, Faraday and so much less of Goddard, Rand, and all the other awful Scythes plus as I said before Thunderhead and his hands off, not getting involved but also being totally involved as the Supreme Being drained me !!! I do love this Shusterman series and can't wait for Book 3 because the ending gave me hope.

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Rebel Seoul by Axie Oh

Rebel Seoul by Axie Oh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book on my kindle because I loved the review Rich in Color posted August 4 by Audrey. With a militaristic society of New Seoul and Old Seoul, Jaewon (LOVED him!!!) is a character raised in the streets (and was involved with a gang) after his father disappears and dies (for some higher good?!?) and is familiar with both worlds- he works a few jobs and is an elite soldier who got a scholarship and totally excelled becoming assigned to the Tower and partnering with Tera (a girl who has been raised/injected with Enhancers (along with her sister Ama) and is a killing machine. What I loved about this book was the worlds, I could not stop turning the pages, and Jaewon was tough but was as empathetic (he didn't believe it) as he was the perfect soldier. I hated his best friend, Yeoung, who abandoned him because it continued to cause him heartache and pain years later. Even more, I hated his best friend's father, oh was he evil, and I wished the worst for him. I was totally unimpressed with his friend at the academy whose father is The Director- he is rich, unfeeling, but also being abused by his father. I rooted for Jaewon and Tera-they were very strong characters who wanted better things for themselves in life. I really hope this is the beginning of a series because there is so much more I want to dive into with Jaewon and Tera's world!

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Our Dark Duet (Monsters of Verity #2) by Victoria Schwab

Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, did I hate this ending!!! But I will not give it away with spoilers. I could not stop listening to Therese Plummer superior narration as both humans and monsters head toward crisis after crisis, the ChaosEater, and a way to stop the evil of the C0rsai and Malchai. The Flynn compound vs Alice/Sloane and their death grip on the humans in Verity. Loved August and Kate's steadfast march together to fight for humanity, using music, weapons, heart, and WILL. This 2nd & final book was gripping, terrifying, and what made it so such great pacing by the narrator, Therese Plummer and such great world building by the author, Victoria Schwab. Oh, the horror of it all. Could not stop listening.

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This Savage Song (The Monsters of Verity #1) by Victoria Schwab

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Boy did I love this audiobook narrated by Therese Plummer; her voices of August Flynn and Kate Harker and her gritty voice captured me from the start of all the monsters in Verity, strife, lies, killing, and dark, dark, dark worlds. I am already listening to the sequel, Our Dark Duet and can't wait to see what happens next!

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In the Afterlight (The Darkest Minds #3) by Alexandra Bracken

In The Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh I loved this series, I did not want it to end- all the kids became my circle of friends, Ruby, Liam, Cole, Zoo, and the other kids labeled as freaks. Their world was so bleak but the hope and daring do and the adults in the camps, government were horrible except the poor parents. I loved the growth of Ruby ad her brave band, such a great series, I recommend all read or listen to it. I LOVED AMY McFadden's narration!!!!

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