The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D Jackson

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely Narrated by: JD Jackson , Sarah Mollo-Christensen , Joy Nash , Christopher Salazar , Karen Malina White, this is a Carrie retelling that includes a biracial girl, Maddie with a mean religious zealot white father in Georgia, with mean white high school students (do not forget the parents & police as well) who terrorize Maddie her whole life. When Maddie finds a book from her mother to her, she finally sees who she is and looks forward to going to the prom with Kenny (who has been put up to inviting her by his white girlfriend mean girl). But life is not that simple & oh do the racist people clash with the teens, their prom, and their lives. A must read!

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Ghostlight by Kenneth Oppel

Ghostlight by Kenneth Oppel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my 1st Kenneth Oppel middle grade novel and it is just the beginning!!! I will be go back and read all his other books! The suspense, thrilling plot, and awesome characters sucked me in; and the ghosts were both GOOD and EVIL! Gabe's summer job telling about the ghosts in the Gibraltar Light House can get boring so he embellishes the story of Rebecca Strand and her father the lightkeeper. What it does is bring the ghost of Rebecca to Gabe and what she tells him about her "death" changes things. Gabe and his friends, Yuri and Callie, race to help Sara, while evil ghost Viker is on a rampage to consume all the ghosts he cane, getting stronger and closer to his evil plans for humans! Highly recommended, I could not put this book down, neither will you!

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Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares (Paola Santiago #2) by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares by Tehlor Kay Mejia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide and Rick Riordan Presents for the advance reader copy, Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares by Tehlor Kay Mejia in exchange for an honest review. This second in the Paola Santiago series was thrilling with heart pounding adventures for Paola, her nightmares now in a forest and it seems her father is involved somehow. Is this good or bad? My heart ached for Paola in this second book as she experienced friendship drama, mother and new boyfriend issues, and trusting her scientific mind over and above her new reality. As Paola is plunged into new nightmares, her best friend Dante seems to be angry with her all the time and won’t let her come over to his house and visit with his abuela. When Dante is at soccer practice she sneaks over and what happens sends shockwaves through her! Dante’s abuela addresses her as Maria (her mother!!!) and warns her against the bad men in her life. When his abuela passes out, Paola is devastated and reaches out to her friend, Emma, for help. I could not stop reading this suspenseful sequel that packs so many punches and psychological dilemmas for Paola as she revisits the missing boys and their leaders, monsters with green eyes and powers from the Highwayman that are beyond brutal. As Paola valiantly tries to wade through the mysteries, disappearing friends, and vanishing family, the reader will be plunged into her world of doubt, betrayal, lies, and mysteries. This is a must read, highly recommended for middle grade mystery lovers!

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Bridge of Souls (City of Ghosts, #3) by Victoria Schwab

Bridge of Souls by Victoria Schwab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I will read & LOVE anything Victoria Schwab writes and this 3rd in the City of Ghosts series was terrific. Cassidy and her best friend/ghost Jacob have come to New Orleans with the Blake parents TV Show, The Inspecters, to tour and spread their knowledge of cemeteries, mysteries, and legends in the city that never sleeps. But there are many unexpected surprises; with the help of her inbetweener friend, Lara and the secret society, will they ALL be able to stop the Emissary Death from stalking Cassidy? I could not put this humorous, horror mystery down! A must read!

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A Vow So Bold and Deadly (The Cursebreaker Series, #3)

A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this final book in the Cursebreakers series! And I only had to wait a week between reading the 2nd book and this one!!! The dread in this book is palpable with LiaMara being at odds with her kingdom and sister who only know violence as a way to rule. Add Grey at her side and the people are angry and afraid of his magic. Rhen has been visited once again by the evil enchantress Lilith (we all thought Grey killed her didn't we) and she goes right to his heart and threatens Harper and Grey! I was sick with her horrors she continues to visit, what will become of Rhen as the time draws nearer to fight against Grey and LiaMara's armies? The suspense was taut throughout this book as the characters battle their own demons and insecurities time and time again. I ached for them and I rooted for them to fight for their loved ones, forgive past transgressions and reach out to each other. This is one of my favorite series and I love their world, LiaMara and Grey and Harper and Rhen and the others like Jake and Noah, Isk and Tycho and other new characters! A must read!

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Wilder Girls by Rory Power

Wilder Girls by Rory Power
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was voted YALSA TOP 10 for Teens 2020. I found it disjointed, scary, and how adults let down teens in their care. No wonder the teens love it!!! There are girls at a school that have been infected by the Tox which manifests itself all kinds of horrible mutations, pain, and body changes. Hetty tells the story but Byatt her best friend is also a narrator. Why these girls are under quarantine with no food, no cure, and no family is creepy and awful. What Hetty and Reese find out about this Tox is strange and horror-filled. Horror is my least favorite genre and this one turned my stomach, so I guess that is why teen readers love it.

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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 Shape of Water by Guillermo del Torro and Daniel Kraus

The Shape of Water by Guillermo del Toro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Jenna Lamia, I was in love with the Devonian, Giles, Zelda, empathetic scientist Hostetler (really a Russian spy) and Elisa as they battled their lots in life and the mad man Strickland who was determined to tortured the asset until death. Elisa is a mute who works as a janitor, lives above a movie theater, and LOVES shoes! When she meets the asset, Elisa is drawn to the amphibious man and returns with eggs, record player, and sign language as often as she can sneak in. As time conspires (also Strickland conspires) for the asset, Elisa engages Giles to help her with saving the Devonian. OMG I could not stop reading this horror story suffused with magical realism. It was a race against time, would Elisa and her friends be in time to save this amphibious man??? I now must see the movie!!!

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The Hush (Johnny Merrimon, 2) by John Hart

The Hush by John Hart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellently narrated by Jeremy Bobb, this book follows The Last Child ten years later - Johnny Merrimon is a ghost living on the 6,600 acres, hiding from notoriety and remaining friends with Jack Cross. But there is something going on in the Hush and it manifests itself in lights, fires, lost people and dead people---all of which the sheriff wants to blame on Johnny. Now Jack is back, a practicing attorney but where he sees danger, fear and darkness in the Hush, Johnny will not entertain any of Jack's fears. What is going on in the Hush??? You won't believe it, I could not stop listening!!!

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Chosen (Slayer #2) by Kiersten White

Chosen by Kiersten White
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as I loved and could not put down White's First Buffy Book, Slayer, so was this 2nd book, Chosen, a GOOD punch in the gut read. The characters like Nina and her friends defending the castle are real friends, supporting Nina while her sister, Artemis is just sinister, sneaky, and awful with her "plans" to dominate. I love Kiersten White's writing, her world building, a plot that just kept moving toward bad stuff but since Nina's powers were restored by Simon before he died, she is having such difficulty with her feelings of rage, anger, and her powers are stronger than ever! Also I enjoyed Nina's dreams and the appearance of Buffy too. This is a great duology; I highly recommend it if you want a thriller with lots of suspense, awesome plot twists, and surprises galore!

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Hero (Monster #3) by Michael Grant

Hero by Michael Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this series within a series (Characters from Gone series and Monster series with new mutant heroes and villains) where a virus rock has created horror type powers on people like Bob Markovic who was an unrepentant morally corrupt human and then he and his daughter got hit with the rock. But what Father does is opposite what daughter does. Bob infects people with totally painful viruses and lets them fester in screaming pain (they want death, Bob grants death when he wants to) while his daughter joins the Rockborn Gang to try to stop her father. I really liked the way Grant shows how morally abhorrent characters are while also allowing that the gang may have to inflict pain and death to help the greater good (even the authorities are asking for their help) and by enlisting Astrid from the Gone series, I could not stop turning the pages of this last, thrilling Gone chapter and the third and final Monster book in the series. While torn about how awful the world was, people still had hope for a better world and looked to the mutant teens for hope and help. Highly recommended!!!

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The Shadow Cabinet (Shades of London #3) by Maureen Johnson

The Shadow Cabinet by Maureen Johnson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I loved the first book, the 2nd a little less and I really did not like this 3rd book; I had high hopes but Rory was not the spitfire of the first 2 books, she seems to be caught between 2 worlds, and once again her lies are her undoing. The therapist Jane and her followers were awful. The only people I liked because they remained true to their characters were Boo, Callum and Thorpe (he did not take any crap and he believed in what the group was doing) even Stephen bothered me (he keeps too much to himself ALL the TIME) and there seemed to be more lag time trying to find Stephen. I know there is supposed to be a 4th book but I am asking Maureen Johnson, please go back to the 1st book and craft a 4th book that will do justice to Rory and her ghost fighting friends.

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The Madness Underneath (Shades of London #2) by Maureen Johnson

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As Rory continues to spin her web of lies with Jerome and Jazz, she is ushered back from her parent's watchful eyes to help Stephen, Callum and Boo solve more murders but now Rory is herself a terminus and her 3 comrades do not have their terminuses anymore...their work is more difficult now.

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United As One (Lorien Legacies #7) by Pittacus Lore

United as One by Pittacus Lore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this series- listening to all 7 books one right after the other was awesome! I loved all the narrators; the voices kept me rapt with the next daring feats of the Garde. I was happy with the ending but I must admit Setrakus Ra's villainy really wore on me---I wish he wasn't so evil, vile, and reprehensible---it was horrific for me to listen to the awfulness that was him!!! The young teen characters were definitely not the same (saddened me but I understood) but there was a hopeful ending...but everyone still needs to be vigilant---a great great series!!!

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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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Villain (Gone #8 Monster #2) by Michael Grant

Villain by Michael Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh do I LOVE this series and Villain did not disappoint! I devoured this riveting read in 2 days, with new characters (Dillon Poe, Francis Specter, DiMarco) and old characters I love - Shade, Dekka, Cruz, Malik, Sam Temple, Astrid, Armo and characters I hate - Drake, Peaks. As Malik suffers excruciating pain from burns, he ingests" the rock" and when he morphs he is able to give unbelievable pain to others. Dillon Poe is a horror, his power AFTER EATING THE ROCK- when he speaks all must do what he tells them and oh is Dillon awful. As things spiral out of control; Shade, Cruz and Malik want to work with Dekka to HELP turn the public tide of hatred and horror to their favor as superheroes. The government is mostly evil, working against everyone (DiMarco) and intent on wiping out the superheroes and supervillains. This book was action packed; filled with horror, battles, and the world in the clenches of crazy characters intent on evil, murder, and mayhem. But through it all I rooted for the superheroes and can't wait to see what Francis Specter does in future books! A tremendous wild read!

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The Agony House by Cherie Priest

The Agony House by Cherie Priest
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as I loved Cherie Priest's book, I Am Princess X, The Agony House was such a great read-part horror, part mystery, containing graphic novel portions and blue font for texting each other and hearing what the ghosts have to say. Denise, her mom and stepdad, have returned to New Orleans after fleeing during Katrina (losing her father and grandmother) and move into a haunted house Denise renames as Agony House. I just loved the fear Priest writes into this story and the characters. Denise makes new friends who school her in what it is like to still be a native in New Orleans, and Denise's observations of the many shortcomings of this home and their venture to make it a bed n breakfast, endows the reader with the "real" situation of what Denise has walked into - as she explores, listens to the stories about ghosts, and unearths a comic with a kick ass female heroine---readers will not be able to stop turning the pages. I loved the comic book - Lucida Might Denise finds and as it raises lots of questions, Denise and her friends search for clues, answers, anything to explain why this house has become hazardous---is someone trying to scare them away, tell them something? Teens will love the blending of novel and comics, Priest is the queen of this format, I want more!!!

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Smoke in the Sun (Flame in the Mist #2) by Renee Ahdieh

Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this awesome 2nd audiobook (excellently narrated by Nancy Wu) in the duology series Flame in the Mist 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 audiobook perfect with Hattori Mariko the strong female but also with lesser female characters who behind the scenes are intelligent, aware, and forthright in their agendas. Mariko is such a strong female character (within and to all who know her) and she also emboldens other females in the court and the Black Clan to be true to themselves and care for others. There is so much violence in this story, especially Emperor Roko's torture of prisoners that I gave this a horror classification as well. I loved the romance between Mariko and Okami and with Okami's reticence, Mariko stood firm, resolute, and almost embarrassed Okami to the become leader everyone saw. Thankfully when he finally escapes his torturous prison and finds gifts and letters hidden in his destroyed parents' home for his eyes only, Okami realizes what his true mission is and becomes the perfect strong leader needed in a time of battles and betrayals in court and the kingdoms bringing change to a feudal Japan wracked by evil within. Loved this book, could not stop listening!!!


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Opal (Lux #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 3 of the Lux series was so darn good- I could not put it down!!! Once again Katy and Daemon are put into positions where they are blackmailed into helping Blake get Chris s well as Dawson rescuing Beth. Onyx was ever present destroying Katy's powers and rendering her without a voice from screams. The romance heats up which I definitely loved but the danger is ever present; now that she has been mutated; she must be afraid and be very careful. The ending was so so awful; I have to get the next two books immediately. I love this series; also love Jennifer L. Armentrout books!!!

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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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