The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh thank you so much to @maestraw for telling me about this Jennifer Lynn Barnes mystery with a kick-ass heroine! Avery is a teen with thrills in her veins who loves to play chess and cards and strives for a scholarship to get to college, a sister with a lose boyfriend and still grieving over her mother's death. Receiving a summons to a reading of a will(someone she does not know!!!) Avery and Libby jet to Hawthorne House with Grayson, one of the four grandsons who live in the house and have played their grandfather's games, created inventions, solved riddles, solved puzzles. Now Tobias Hawthorne holds her up as the sole beneficiary of billions, staying in Hawthorne House for a year while everyone lives there and sifting through clues, puzzles, books with maze-like halls with contraptions and hidden halls and tunnels. Avery is now guarded 24 hours a day, with a law firm at her finger tips and lots of lies, secrecy, and betrayal. But you know Avery is up to it!!! I loved her mind for games, figuring out puzzles, riddles and hanging in despite almost everyone distrusting her. I can't wait for Book 2, what an ending, it is going to kill me to wait!!! Barnes once again crushes the mystery, she is the queen!

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Go With the Flow by Lily Williams and Karen Schneeman

Go with the Flow by Lily Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A great graphic novel about friendship and dealing with female problems in High School!

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The Deceiver's Heart (The Traitor's Game #2) by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The Deceiver's Heart by Jennifer A. Nielsen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OK I love Jennifer A. Nielsen books, but I am going to say one thing about this 2nd book in the series---Why is Simon the only who loves and believes in Kestra? I was really getting sick of everyone, even her friends, hating on Kestra! I am begging author Nielsen to turn this around in the 3rd book, you can still have all the drama, political intrigue, hatred of Endrick (I think everyone equates Kestra with him!!!) that you want, just turn the tide a little, let Kestra work "things" out (even if it is magic or fighting the good fight) and let some of the major characters HELP her, not lie to her and work against her, and try to find a way she can triumph, but as a champion, not a "Corruption" that must be put down!

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There's Something About Sweetie (Dimple & Rishi #2) by Sandhya Menon

There's Something about Sweetie by Sandhya Menon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG did I love this funny, dynamic female protagonist, and troubled male diverse read! I loved Sandya Menon's voice- she really delves into what Sweetie feels each time her mother torches her with her "fat" comments, how she will be humiliated if she eats or wears something her mother thinks is off limits for a girl Sweetie's size. I loved Sweetie's resolve and her Sweetie project- she is proud, honest, and compelled to move forward (even as she is devastated by her mom's rejection and her Dad's non-support. The characters, teens and parents in this very diverse story, are real, supportive of Sweetie and continue the Dimple & Rishi series. What I really enjoyed was the slow, wonderful way Sweetie dazzled Ashish, changing him into a better person just by accepting him, talking honestly to him, and understanding his qualms about his previous breakup. I loved the unwavering support of her friends, and how Sweetie and Ashish's friends propel the story through their personal interests and involvement in sports. This ia a must read and now I MUST read As Kismet Would Have it (a Dimple & Rishi novella!

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The Brink of Darkness (Edge of Everything #2) by Jeff Giles

The Brink of Darkness by Jeff Giles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this kick-ass, totally awesome book as part of the #yearofYA twitter chat Empowered Female Heroines/Characters. Zoe continues to be such a great, strong female heroine---loving and fiercely protecting those she loves. First and foremost is X, who had been banished to the Lowlands forever, in order to save Zoe & her family from Dervish's evil machinations. Failing is not an option when it comes to Zoe's outlook, zeal and defending those she loves (her mom, Jonah, Rufus, friends Val & Dallas, & most of all from the Lowlands --Ripper, Maud, and Sylvie. I listened to The Edge of Darkness and was enraptured with Giles worldbuilding, his characterization of X, and the deep romantic bonds tying Zoe & X to each other. Once I realized Audible was not going to answer my question about an audio version of The Brink of Darkness, I consumed this book from the in 2 days!!! Giles once again did not disappoint--I was on a roller coaster about the fates of X and Zoe, the heinousness of the ever expanding Lowlands was widened with X's imprisonment and torture by The Countess and in the bowels of The Cave of Swords. I dared to hope for Zoe's and X's happiness; but they were both very serious and constant in their pursuit. I could not put this book down; a favorite series of mine- highly recommended.

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Till Death by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Till Death by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I read this awesome book for the August twitter chat to be held Sept 6 at 8PM EST with #yearofYA, come join us, in so many ways this book featured empowered females Sasha and her best friend support one another) and Sasha overcame overcame many challenges young girls face - she survives and returns HOME strong. Such a great thriller and lots of twists in this mystery from one of my fave authors!!! Sasha was one of the Groom's captives who got away. She was so traumatized she leaves her home for 10 years, abandons her friends and boyfriend, goes into therapy, has a great job that her travelling. But Sasha returns to help her mom run their inn and almost immediately she is a target BECAUSE she got away - but she doesn't know...but we sure do. What I liked about Sasha was that the 10 years away made her into a strong empowered female fighting back. If you love romance, suspense, mystery and serial killers - this book is a must read!

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Girl Man Up by M-E Girard

Girl Mans Up by M-E Girard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this awesome book for the August twitter chat to be held Sept 6 at 8PM EST with #yearofYA, come join us, in so many ways this book featured empowered females (Pen and Blake) (Pen and Olivia)- Pen, Blake and Olivia supported one another and Pen overcame the many challenges young girls face. Pen doesn't have it easy- a group of guy friends who are total jerks, Portuguese parents that want Pen to confirm to a good girl look and label and although a girl, Pen likes short hair wearing her brother's shirts, and just always being who she is...which creates problems all around. I loved her voice, her honesty, her questions, and she dealt with all the crap that hits her as any teen would- she just knew who she was but could not explain why this was who she truly was and why shouldn't she be who she truly was? Girard's book is important for teens, I liked this quote from Miranda Reads review "Introducing Pen - the antidote to all those cookie-cutter YA heroines" a must read!


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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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Ms Marvel (Vol1) by G. Willow Wison

Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this for our August twitter chat #YearofYA being held Thursday 9/6 at 8PM EST, empowering females and as a result of this kick ass heroine, I am happily and hungrily going to read the other many volumes, can't wait! I love Kamala, her insecurities (her parents), her righteousness (helping others) and her evolution as Ms Marvel!!! Read it now, you will love the story, illustrations everything!

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