Legends of Zita the Spacegirl (Zita the Spacegirl, #2) by Ben Hatke

Legends of Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this 2nd of the series, Zita is trying to get back to earth but that proves to be a big problem when her mouse friend is captured, she is a hero, and there is someone impersonating her---is that a good thing? I love all the drama, the illustrations are just awesome, and Zita continues to rock everyone's world!

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Zita the Spacegirl (Zita the Spacegirl, #1) by Ben Hatke

Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Ben Hatke and was I ever happy to stumble upon this awesome series at the Springfield Public Library while enjoying the Thomas the Trains with my grandson!!! Zita is just a normal girl playing with her friend when they are transported to outer space. While she tries to find & rescue her friend she becomes friendly with all sorts of creatures, especially the rat, who becomes very special to her. A good vs evil graphic novel series that will have you rooting for Zita and turning those pages!

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Infinite by Brian Freeman

Infinite by Brian Freeman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow you like parallel universes? This fast paced psychological thriller moves quickly----Dylan Moran loses his wife, Karly, in a flood. Try as he might he cannot save her. Devastated he begins to see people who look exactly like him. As the operations manager at an exclusive hotel, there is a doctor who will be speaking on Many Worlds. Even more surprising, when Dylan approaches her, she already knows him, he is seeing her as a patient. Dylan goes into the parallel universes, OMG! With lots of twisting plots, recurring characters in these plots, I could not stop turning the pages! Another great read from Brian Freeman!

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The Brightest Night (Origin, #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Brightest Night by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have read and LOVED all of Jennifer L. Armentrout's books but this book so disappointed me because of the ENDING!!! I was hoping this would be the end of the Origin series but obviously there will be a book 4 but as a reader I want the author to know there is a better way to end books and this book was clearly so so so disappointing! There was lots of romance drama where Evie and Luc are safely living at a settlement. Having seen what she has done, many of the inhabitants are against Evie staying with them. There is not much outside action like all the other Origin books (and all the other Armentrout series) just building more on the Nadia/Evie history and Luc and other character backstories. I missed the action but being a faithful reader I hoped this book would be like all her other awesome books; there were many great characters, but the plot was stalled, stilted, and moved forward much too slowly. And the ending was just such a letdown, there was no redemption just utter horror (who ends a book with horror?) and no complete closure and not even an exciting end but a dreaded end! So I am begging the author to please make me want to continue to read this series, to be invested in the good that is Evie and Luc, Daemon and Kat, Grayson and not the utter helplessness of them all while Daedalus wreaks horror and havoc and ruination. We have enough of that in our world today with Covid and readers deserve redemption at the end of a book. And that title, The Brightest Night would seem to be that something positive was going to come out at the end of the book, it was definitely nota bright night but a BLEAK night for all!

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These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, such a compelling read; I could not put this book down; so many great reviews had me push it to the top of my TBR list and I am so glad I did! I read this as part of #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge, Book set in Another Country, and oh was this Shanghai in the 1920s filled with gore, drama and chaos. Shanghai is a city being tugged at by 2 gangs, The Scarlets and The Whites, and now Russians are infiltrating and trying to unionize the workers in both gangs. Also there is a monster in the river that is making people tear out their own throats; following this mystery and how Juliette and Roma work together, despite their warring gangs, to save lives and end the monster. With the history of Shanghai, the scifi of the monster, I could not put this book down!!! I am trying to understand what the title means... but it is definitely one of my favorite series reads! There is so much visceral, deep seated hatred, anger, despair but also HOPE (in Juliette) and I am rooting for Juliette and Roma and can't wait to see what the next book brings. Highly recommended!

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Runaways, Vol. 2: Best Friends Forever by Rainbow Rowell

Runaways, Vol. 2: Best Friends Forever by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am really enjoying this series! I love learning more about their back story, about their pasts, and now their present. Vol 2 has the same gang of Nico, Karolina, Gertrude, Chase, Molly and Victor. As usual there is lots of drama, should Victor get a body to attach to his head, and will Julie Powers become one of the gang? Can we trust Molly's best friend, Abigail and what happens when Gert and Victor time travel? Jumping right into Vol. 3 & 4, great reads!!!

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Runaways, Vol. 1: Find Your Way Home by Rainbow Rowell

Runaways, Vol. 1: Find Your Way Home by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I got hooked on the 5th Runaways graphic novel so I am going back to the 1st and reading all 4! I know there are others too so I will be signing up to read them, I love Rainbow Rowell and the 1st graphic novel I read, Pumpkinheads, made it easy to make it my reading mission to read any and all of her graphic novels. The characters are many and varied and I like their chemistry and angst as they try to make their way in the world because their past is just too awful.

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Runaways Vol. 5: Canon Fodder (Runaways) by Rainbow Rowell

Runaways Vol. 5: Canon Fodder (Runaways by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

LOVED this Rainbow Rowell graphic novel; I read it as part of the #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge. Los Angeles is in grave danger and Doc Justice recruits the Runaways as the J-Team to help him conquer the evil that threatens. Read this graphic novel to find out how our friends do when the time is right.

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Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow did I love this audiobook narrated spectacularly by Will Wheaton! Wade Watts is totally into the thrill of virtual games and compulsively following his idol, James Halliday, creator of the OASIS. Wade is not much for life in the real world; his real world is the OASIS and figuring out the puzzles set out after Halliday dies. Good and evil, this story packs alot of punch and takes place in the year 2044. I LOVED this audiobook!!!

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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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Heart of Iron (heart of Iron #1) by Ashley Poston

Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this scifi adventure which was such a wild ride, and dealt with such themes as family, journeys, friendship, romance, and choices. Ana is a fiesty heroine who wants to save her "metal" friend D09 and in the process stumbles into the world of the Ironbloods (evil mother, evil brother, Erik and very conflicted Robbert) which will turn Ana's world upside down. What I loved most about this book was the conviction which propelled so many of the characters (Capt Seige, D09, Jax, Robb, Ana) although I was not really happy with some of Ana's decisions bc of the way Di and others are impacted. Poston's writing, worldbuilding, characters kept me turning the pages, rooting for Ana and friends, and hopeful aboutthe second book, which I am going to get right away!!!

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Rogue Heart (Rebel Seoul #2) by Axie Oh

Rogue Heart by Axie Oh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this 2nd book----Ama, Alex, PHNX, Jaewon, Tera, Su, and many more great characters. Ama begins the story and likes where she is working with a family who really cares about her---since she was made to be a weapon and exploited, this family does not know anything about Ama and accepts her. I loved whenever Ama sung, her voice and songs captured people's hearts (esp Su who faithfully came (he was disguised) to listen to Ama for 2 years). I loved her past romance with Alex and how they "find" each other, it was thrilling and the spying and keeping up a glamour was awesome. The battle tactics, the other Ama and Tera, the super soldier push was mesmerizing; I can't wait to read more Axie Oh books!!! Highly recommended.

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Supernova (Renegades #3) by Marissa Meyer

Supernova by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

The only good thing I can say about this book is that I loved the 2 narrators, Rebecca Solare and Dan Bittner, they were a great duo! But, I was so disappointed/aggravated with this last book in the series. I wasn't a fan of the first 2 books either. I felt there was too much description, too little known about many characters and way too much introspection from Nova (3 books worth). Nova really irritates me- she has not redeemed herself at all in the 3 books. In this book, her back and forth about Anarchists and the murder of her parents and her feelings for Adrian just wore me out. Adrian is naturally good---especially as the Sentinel, he goes against the Renegade code to help others. Nova was so combative, prickly, and torn. After three books, I expected and wanted a positive, inspiring feel but there was no redemption, that awful epilogue, and no amount of my rooting for Nova made her a likable character. I have to say that I loved The Lunar Chronicles and if Marissa Meyer continues to write these dark, complicated books, I will not be reading them. I did not like Heartless either.

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Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale by Lauren Myracle

Under The Moon: A Catwoman Tale by Lauren Myracle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and DC Entertainment and DC Ink for the advance reader copy Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale by, Lauren Myracle, in exchange for an honest review. I loved Lauren Myracle’s take on Catwoman’s backstory. Selena is a strong female teen protagonist who is quick to protect but never to trust. Life has dealt her with a mother who has many abusive boyfriends, the latest being Dernell. As Selena continues to become sick Dernell’s target, she gets no help from her mother; only criticism. Dernell’s constant punishment of locking her in a closet, helps Selena become one with the darkness and when she can’t take life under his sicko power trip; Selena runs away and becomes a teen who roams the streets, begins to hone her fighting, and finally joins a group that is planning a daring heist. For a kickass anti-heroine who takes prisoners, YA fans will fall into Myracle’s story and Goodhart's perfect dark illustrations with dark blue, black and minimal white lines that does justice to comics; a must read!

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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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The Revenge of Seven (The Lorien Legacies #5) by Pittacus Lore

The Revenge of Seven by Pittacus Lore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This series, listening to the awesome narrators continues to have me hanging by the edge of a ledge as things are ramping up for the Garde. With 5 killing 8 and Setracus Ra kidnapping Ella; things have gotten out of hand as separated again they try to stop Earth's destruction. OMG!!!

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Archenemies (Renegades #2) by Marissa Meyer

Archenemies by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Still not a fan of this series, but I will stick with it. I really like Adrian who is naturally good---as the Sentinel, he goes against the Renegade code to help others. Nova really irritates me- I guess I should chalk up her personality to never having the things she should have, believing the Renegades should have been there to help her family, and working as a double agent to bring the Anarchists back into power. Their romance would have been so much more normal if Nova wasn't so combative, prickly, and torn. So here's hoping for a good resolution to this Renegades series with the final book.

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Wildcard (Warcross #2) by Marie Lu

Wildcard by Marie Lu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, did I love this book & Nancy Wu's narration - Marie Lu and Nancy Wu had me on the edge of my seat throughout this kick ass, suspenseful, scifi/tech gone wrong novel. I loved the drama, angst of the plotline, loved the loneliness/friendship aspect of the Phoenix Riders & Emika, rooted for Emika and Hideo (even though there is so much questionable going on), hated the NeuroLink Algorithm & the Blackcoats and their despicable ends. The new characters were many and varied; the Zero/Suske character-OMG! I was totally satisfied with the ending- Lu is a master storyteller- love all of her books!

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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 Darkest Star (Origin #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Darkest Star by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Tor Teen for the advance reader copy, The Darkest Star by awesome author, Jennifer L. Armentrout, in exchange for an honest review. I am so happy Jennifer Armentrout is continuing the Lux series (if you have not read, YOU MUST!!!) with a new series, Origin, and The Darkest Star does not disappoint with Luc, an Origin (produced by a Lux and human mating) from the Lux series, who is young, powerful, and scary. Like the Lux, Luc is perfectly handsome, chiseled, and arrogant. But he is cares deeply for his Lux and Origin friends and will stop at nothing to help them. This NEW YA alien series brings back some favorite characters from Lux as the world has returned to normal (if humans accepting Lux as neighbors) and features Evie as a senior going to an underage club that is known to have both Lux and humans in attendance. When Evie meets Luc, he is arrogant and wants her to leave—but when a raid unexpectantly happens, Luc helps her escape—and the rest is oh so good! I could not put this fantasy/scifi book down, Armentrout’s delicious writing is spine tingling with mysteries galore. Teens will love this new series and race to read all other Armentrout books; verdict an epic read with humor and toe-curling romance.

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