The Empire of Dreams (Fire and Thorns #4) by Rae Carson

The Empire of Dreams by Rae Carson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as I loved The Girl of Fire and Thorns series, oh did I really LOVE Red Sparkle Stone. She was a dynamo who survived so much in her life, that she has some left over issues like startling when she hears loud sounds, sleeping on the floor or not sleeping at all. As her life with Elisa and Hector and Rosario and Mena is upended when her adoption is thwarted; Red decides to join the elite Royal Guard while the Queen takes a journey. Leaving behind Rosario on the throne, Red pledges her support while she trains for the guard. But something is wrong...and it takes all of Red's strength, fighting ability, and sleuthing to find out what is going on. What I liked about her training with the guard: many were against her for being a woman, being part of the royal family, and people assuming she is part of a lower caste, but Red's fighting ability soon begins to help her recruit friends and garner her some admiration. Even though Red is prickly, she can't tell a lie, so I enjoyed getting to know her from her past up to her time with Elisa and Hector. She is a strong presence, she fights for what she believes in, yet she also doesn't see herself the way others see her and that trait helped her time and time again as she tried to help Rosario and her friends in the Royal Guard. Can't wait to read the next book!!! Rae Carson has done it again!.

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The Warrior's Curse (The Traitor's Game, #3) by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The Warrior's Curse by Jennifer A. Nielsen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a fantastic series, and this 3rd book was heartstopping, pulse pounding and thrilling. What one thinks about the characters Kaestra, Simon, Harlyn and many others in this must read fantasy will be upended many times over in this saga but most important is Kaestra's charge to kill Lord Endrick. What happens after is many people clashing, lying, betrayals and lies. I rooted for Kaestra the whole book!

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Courting Darkness (Courting Darkness #1) by Robin LaFevers

Courting Darkness by Robin LaFevers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Since I could not put down His Fair Assassins series, I knew this continuation of Sybella's story with the history involving her queen and also the convent goings on with Mortain was heart stopping, gripping and totally suspenseful. With alternating viewpoints (Sybella and Genevieve) the worldbuilding continues with Sybella and the many sinister forces plotting the queen's downfall, Sybella's sisters continue to be threatened and a new plotline with Genevieve. The characters were rich strong, fearful and fearless----I could not put this book down and can't wait for the next in this duology---read it you will not be disappointed! Highly recommended!

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Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir

A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to this audiobook and the narrators - Fiona Hardingham, Katherine McEwan, Maxwell Caulfield, Steve West were all so awesome!!! But I found this book so hard to listen to get through...I am going to ask Ms Tahir who I love WHERE is the hope? I think teens need to have some redemption and closure and this book let me down. I hated what happened to all three main characters - Laia, Elias, & Helene!!! There was total frustration on my part as these characters were torn apart by the NightBringer, The Emperor, and lastly The Commandant (she needs to die---like the Emperor)time and time again and again. Why did Elias have to sacrifice his humanity? Why does the Blood Shrike keep making choices that will doom her and her people? Why does Laia have to lose everything? I loved Darin, Cook, Helene's sister, and Musa- I really would like to see MORE redemption, closure, hope, and happiness---LESS backstabbing, battles, and genocide. So please Sabaa Tahir, can the final installment be more rewarding and less heartbreaking?

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War Storm (Red Queen #4) by Victoria Aveyard

War Storm by Victoria Aveyard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I did not really love this final in the series they way I loved the other 3 books- I read it on my kindle and it seemed like forever to get through the narrative- some was the same over and over again- the war, Mare & Cal (together or not), Maven (get him!!!) Evangeline (her family woes & Elane woes) but other parts I did love Monfort, Davidson, Farley, Kilorn, and the Red Guard. A great series but a disillusioning end.

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Bright We Burn (The Conqueror's Saga #3) by Kiersten White

Bright We Burn by Kiersten White
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this final audiobook in the Conqueror's Saga- Fiona Hardingham's narration continued to weave such a taut spell-murderous Prince Lada will do anything to prove to the world that her country, Vallacia will not be a vassal state to anyone. She has also gained the fierce love and protection of her people by ruling them with honesty, land, love and the will to survive. Radu is my favorite character and I am so very happy he finds Fatima and unites her with Nasira---when Cyprian appears at the castleOMG- loved that scene. I felt sorry for Mehmed & Lada - they were both powerful but lonely people. Because Lada was constantly fighting against being a woman in their world; she would never have a life with Mehmed or Bogdon. White's book was adventure filled & character driven with chapters bursting with beauty, intrigue, and murderous battles. Such a agreat series; I will miss these characters and their world; highly recommended!

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The Traitor's Game (The Traitor's Game #1) by Jennifer Nielsen

The Traitor's Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A new series full of fantasy, political ambition with lies and treachery, and 2 main characters who fight against each other despite their attraction. Kestra is one tough princess who has been banished by her father and is now being called back. On their way back, rebels capture Kestra, Darrow and Celia and force her to plot against evil, magic Endrick and her father. But they do not know what Kestra is capable of and what lengths she will go to, all the while scheming, lying & pretending. Simon knew Kestra from their younger years in the castle until she lied about him and put him in prison to die. He is a committed rebel and Corack who is forced to guard Kestra and she does not make it easy for him---a rip roaring great audiobook, narrated awesomely by Jesse Vilinsky, Michael Curran-Dorsano I could not stop listening, finding more and more time to listen to this spellbinding book!!!

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