Our Violent Ends (Our Violent Delights #2) by Chloe Gong

Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this 2nd book, and Chloe Gong kept the high crime, mystery and adventure pounding as Juliette guards a secret that could destroy her position as heir of the Scarlet gang---not that she wants to rule but she doesn't want her sick twisted cousin to bump her out. And by keeping this secret, Roma now hates her, wants to kill her and has changed. The monsters are still a threat but now the Communists and Nationalists also vie for Shanghai! The worldbuilding, the strong characters and the intense plot all combine for a thoroughly awesome story in a city that is becoming more and more dangerous and evil. What will happen to Roma and Juliette; YA readers will love this final book in These Violent Delights! A must read and highly recommended!

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Red Hood by Elana K. Arnold

Red Hood by Elana K. Arnold
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book for #BitAboutBooks Spring Reading Challenge because the book has a Color in the title. Wow, this YA retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood story was nail biting. Bisou is a young girl who is raised by her grandmother after her mother is brutally murdered and it is not until one fateful night with a wolf chasing Bisou that her world changes. I loved how Arnold used female characters coming together and working together as a strong force for women. A great retelling!

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My Calamity Jane (The Lady Janies, #3) by Cynthia Hand

My Calamity Jane by Cynthia Hand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this audiobook so much, narrated by Sophie Amoss; her female and male voices were perfect; I could not stop listening! Cynthia Hand uses humor, and the retelling was funny, thought provoking, and the twists were just perfect. Think the history of the wild west but with the twists of garous (werewolves), history changed, and Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, and Annie Oakley trio who join forces in their shows but also chasing after garou (humans turned by a bite from werewolves). This 3rd Lady Janie was just as good as the other 2 in the series.

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Yhe Princess and the Fangirl (Once Upon a Con, #2) by Ashley Poston

The Princess and the Fangirl by Ashley Poston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed Geekerella and this 2nd book in this series is just as good! Jess is Princess Amara of the Starfield series but she only sees the harsh side to her fame while Imogene is a start struck fangirl who wants to make sure the Princess is brought back from the dead in the final episode. At the annual ExcelsiCon, look-a-likes Imogen and Jess clash, decide to change places and the fun, suspense, drama begins! I loved the old friendships ((Ethan and Jess (who is really Imogen)) and the new friendships (Harper and Imogen (who is really Jess) as well as the cloak and dagger mystery to prove who is leaking the new script at the con. Poston really knows how to "retell" stories and the surprises were delightful! I loved all the costumes, Imogen's moms and brothers, the world of nerd culture, the good and bad of fandom.

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A Curse So Dark and Lonely(Cursebreakers #1) by Brigid Kemmerer

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can't wait for the 2nd book, so happy this will be a series & I can revisit with Harper, Prince Rhen, CommanderGrey and the villagers of Emberfall!!! I loved everything about Harper; she is fearless, courageous, protective of others, loves her family, and will not let her cerebral palsy define her. I rooted for her to break the curse, fall in love with Rhen, and vanquish the monster. Rhen and Grey stole my heart with their resolute yet resigned support of one another. I also loved the alternate worlds of D.C. and Emberfall, the fantasy, the changes in Harper, Rhen & Grey as they unite with their plot (alliance) with Harper as the Princess of Disi, bringing armies to strengthen Emberfall's borders. I loved the thrill of this retelling of Beauty and the Beast; I stayed up way late to finish this awesome read that gave me so many highs and lows, so much hope just to have it dashed (hated Lilith), Brigid Kemmerer's lush language, her story, her world building were just breathtaking and so enjoyable for this reader!

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A Date With Darcy (Bookish Boyfriends #1) by Tiffany Schmidt

A Date with Darcy by Tiffany Schmidt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this first in the Bookish Boyfriends series! I love retellings and this book with cheesy, funny book nerd Merilee, her sister, Rory and best friend, Eliza had me turning those pages, laughing, smiling and rooting for Meri's perfect boyfriend. I always enjoy Tiffany Schmist books and this did not disappoint; looking forward to the next book in the series!

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Midsummer's Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca

Midsummer's Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to @rajanilrocca (Rajani LaRocca), Yellow Jacket (an imprint of Bonnier Publishing USA) and #BookJunkies for allowing me to be an early reader of Midsummer’s Mayhem by awesome debut author, Rajani LaRocca, in exchange for an honest review. Wow, did I love this debut novel for middle grade children. Just let me gush about the beauty of LaRocca’s language – the descriptions of the foods (Indian, sweet, and salty) had me drooling; I wanted to eat (and bake) everything in this contemporary retelling mixing fantasy elements of fairies, friends, and the importance of family. The beauty of Mimi’s woods (the trees, herbs, and flowers) held me captive when I realized this was no ordinary forest. In addition, I loved strong, reasonable but mighty main character, Mimi and her passion for baking sweet treats. But Mimi feels outshined by everyone else in her family, has lost her best friend, and struggles with the baking contest she has entered. When new kid, Vik rescue’s Mimi in a tree; her summer turns into one of foodie love, a fast friendship, and many new adventures in her woods. With her siblings’ involvement in the summer play, Midsummer Night’s Dream, paralleling Mimi’s summer of mayhem, the reader is ensconced in Mimi’s world of sweet treats, family drama, and the magic of food and fairies. Food lovers, Shakespearean lure, and the diversity of Indian food, customs, and folklore will delight readers of all ages. You will also enjoy at the end; The Acknowledgements, Baking Terms and even recipes from the book; I am certainly going to be baking these mouth-watering treats! Highly recommended; get your copy in a store near you, June 2019.

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Pride by Ibi Zoboi

Pride by Ibi Zoboi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is getting slot of hype and oh did I love the way Ibi Zoboi took Pride & Prejudice and remixed it - Zuri has always lived in Bushwick, a suburb of Brooklyn with her Afro-Latino roots, she is fiercely protective of her family and neighborhood. Then across the street where an abandoned house has been turned into a mini mansion, which Zuri cannot condone---rich people moving into the hood, changes neighborhoods and not for the best. When the Darcy family moves in with 2 handsome boys, Zuri takes an instant dislike to Darius while her sister, Janae falls hard for Ainsley. I just loved the way Zoboi saw Zuri's neighborhood, family, friends, and her description of food, clothes, and places mixed culture, love , family, and changing neighborhoods to produce a MUST READ for all teens, adults, and anyone who loves retellings of classic fairytales will not be able to put down this real, humorous, culturally diverse must read! I loved the cover and even better ---the inside cover with Zuri and Darius facing off - awesome.

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Sweet Black Waves (Sweet Black Waves #1) by Kristina Perez

Sweet Black Waves by Kristina Pérez
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group and Imprint for the advance reader copy Sweet Black Waves by Kristina Perez in exchange for an honest review. Oh did I revel in the fantasy and magic of this world of kingdoms, kings, queens, lords, and ladies. Based on the star-crossed lovers tale of Tristan and Eseult, Branwen is the cousin, friend and hand-maid of Princess Essy and narrator of this first in a series. I can’t wait for the 2nd book in the series but found the characters of Branwen and Essy difficult to take many times. Essy is a spoiled princess but also very honest that she wants to marry for love (which the king and queen can’t possibly allow) during a time when warring countries need a marriage guranteeing peace. Branwen is Essy’s level-headed cousin who is so consumed with what her country wants that she pushes down her own desires, hides her many lies from those she loves, and sees the course of history being changed (due to something she did). Branwen finds Tristan, half-dead in the sea and rescues him and as she falls for him, she realizes he is their enemy from Kernyv ( killed her parents) but an more importantly an accord between Iveriu and Kernyv will bring peace between their countries. The only true, strong, capable character is Tristan, who remains a force, genuine in his love for Branwen and his power to win Essy’s hand for King Marc, his relative. It is once Branwen uses magic to save Tristan that changes her to an ice queen like the Queen (which was disconcerting and alarming). Any happiness Branwen wants is second to what her country needs. Debut author, Perez is a fantastic world builder with beauty, desire, and danger galore. The ending was devastating, but I will be clamoring for the 2nd in the series!

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The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

The Wrath & the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book and so sorry it took me this long to get to the thrilling and heart pounding it!!! But I was also lucky that as soon as I finished this book, I could jump right into the 2nd book, The Rose and the Dagger!!! Renee Ahdieh has written a book with strong characters, beautiful places, and wonderful plots. Oh did I enjoy strong and bold Shazi, Tariq, Khalid. I kept waking up at night wanting to read more, more, more! Like A Thousand and One Nights, Shazi vows to seek justice for her best friend and the others the Monster King has killed. But will all go as planned? A can't put it down read, highly recommended!

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