The House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City, #3) by Sarah J. Maas

House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another winner from Sarah J. Maas! I have so enjoyed the Crescent series and this 3rd book is just awesome! At 900+ pages I finished in 3 days rooting for Bryce Quindlen & Hunt Althazar!
Lidia & Ruhn were kick ass as well. The plot, the settings, the world building, and the characters all made this a book I could not put down. Total suspense with the torture of Hunt & his friends filled me with horror. But what I enjoyed most was Bryce's certainty that she could figure things out. A must read!

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A Soul of Ash and Blood (Blood and Ash, #5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

A Soul of Ash and Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another totally awesome book in the Blood and Ash series; victorious Poppy, Cas & Kieran make their way to safety but quickly Cas & Kieran realize something is not right---Poppy's skin is freezing then she drops into a deep slumber...there is a very real possibility that if and when Poppy wakes up she will not remember anything & that means her husband and love, Cas and Kieran. It has been suggested that Cas talk to her as Poppy sleeps & talk he does; I could not stop turning the pages as Cas recalls to Poppy and Kieran their history, romance, and linked hearts. Totally awesome read.

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Fall of Wrath and Ruin (Awakening, #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this 1st book in the Awakening series! Lis is a mortal, lowborn Lis is an orphan who has known starvation, abuse and with her friend, Grady they stick together. Lis knows the future just by touching someone, so she doesn't really do that. She saves Grady and her future when she becomes the paramour of the baron of Archwood who is a celestia (mortal descended from the joining of a lowborn) and a Hyhborn (created from the earth) ; they have been living a good life until one night her intuition bades her go out of the castle not knowing what she will find. In the barn, there is a man with blood all over him and stakes pinning him down. What Lis does not know is that she is rescuing and saving Prince Thorn. There is wonderful world building, I loved the chemistry between Lis & Thorn and as the mysteries grow---the suspense is so gripping I read this book in 2 days!!! I can't wait for the 2nd book!!!

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A Light in the Flame (Flesh and Fire, #2) by Jennifer L Armentrout

A Light in the Flame by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This 2nd in the Flesh and Fire series was scorching hot! I fell in love with Nyktos & Sera AGAIN as they navigate their friendship, their passion (Nyktos can't love) and their staunch support of each other and their kingdom(s) as this fantasy unfolds. As always, the characters, the plot, and the setting had me turning those pages, I can't wait for the 3rd book! Highly recommended!

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Amari and the Great Game (Supernatural Investigations, #2) by B.B. Alston

Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I did not LIKE this ending at all! I kept turning the pages but was so overwhelmed and chagrined with the evil that happened in this WHOLE book; I think B.B. Alston needs to re-think Book 3 if he is going to once again shatter the reader time and time again (like he does to Amari throughout this book!!!) with threatening war, challenges that are meant to sink, dangers that are motivated by the WORST bad characters, and finally decisions that work against the characters and plot---too too bleak---give the reader a MORE POSITIVE story in Book 3, this reader begs you...

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A Glorious and Devilish Expanse (Witches if the Isnad, #3) by Katie McGarry

A Glorious and Devilish Expanse by Katie McGarry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this series so much and the 3rd installment had me in so much suspense! The story of Orion & Cassie continues but his malevolent mother has plans that include killing her son, killing Cassie, and killing anyone who is in her way in her to "save" her son. I loved the plot, the characters, and oh the ending was perfect and I was chuckling as I read about Moloch and his charge in the "human world"
As Cassie and Orion battle all that is evil, I rooted they find each other and save the worlds. Totally awesome!

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Pretty Little Lion (Third Shift #2) by Suleikha Snyder

Pretty Little Lion by Suleikha Snyder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 2 in the Third Shift series brings one of the owners, Elijah (lion shapeshifter) trying to infiltrate bad guy from Book 1, Mirko and his organization. The way Third Shift finds a way in is through his girlfriend, Meghna---but she is not at all what Elijah thinks and as they find out the hard way (murder) Meghna and Elijah form a very uneasy alliance (why? because they care about one another) and so the cat and mouse game begins---I loved this book as much as the first but oh boy what an ending----I need another book in this series, please!

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Big Bad Wolf (Third Shift #1) by Suleikha Snyder

Big Bad Wolf by Suleikha Snyder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this new series featuring shapeshifters in a new world since 2016 where Third Shift is run by 2 supernatural beings but also employ humans to help rid the world of bad guys (human and supernatural). Joe Peluso's story is awesome---and when he is hunted for the justice he took in his dead foster brother's name---the action takes off! His lawyer is a human but also holds a degree in psychology and there is instant attraction between Joe and Neha. How they get together and escape to try to find answers, keep from dying, and a lot of romance in between kept me turning the pages! I loved the plot, so many of the characters, and the author's world she built around Joe and Neha. Can't wait to read Book 2 in this series!

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Stone Cold Touch (The Dark Elements, #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 2nd audiobook in the The Dark Elements Series that continues with Layla, Roth and Zayne all working together to find the Lilin. But Layla has new found powers; Abbott the head of the Wardens and Zane's father hate her. I could not stop listening to this heart pounding romantic series audiobook from acclaimed author, Jennifer L. Armentrout. Already going to listen to the final book in the series!!!

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Amari and the Night Brothers (Supernatural Investigations, #1 by B.B. Alston

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This author debut was compulsively readable and I read it for the #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge. Amari is a 13-year-old, devastated by the loss of her missing brother, and being bullied at school. Amari is determined to try to find her brother, especially when law enforcement has no leads and thinks Quinton has succumb to the dangerous life of their rundown urban neighborhood. Quinton has always been Amari’s best friend and his reputation for excellence in every facet of his life propels Amari to join Quinton’s summer leadership camp; but what a surprise awaits when Amari finds out this camp is supernatural. Alston’s worldbuilding is awesome with the different aspects of the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs; departments, illusions, faeries, werewolves, yetis, snakes and the magical sides of the kids. I rooted for Amari as she is maligned because her magic is considered “black” and many do not want to give her a chance. She learns more about her magic from her partner, Dylan, and roommate Elsie. Readers will be turning the pages with the illusions, magic, creatures, and tests, as Amari and her competitors fight for their place as Junior Agents. I enjoyed the action driven plot, authentic characters, good vs evil and Amari’s growth, resilience, and honesty. I can’t wait for the 2nd book in the series! Highly recommended.

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The Damned (The Beautiful, #2) by Renee Ahdieh

The Damned by Renée Ahdieh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not put this 2nd book in the The Beautiful series down---all of the drama going on between Celine, now vampire Bastien, and the supernatural family members of Nicodemus Saint Germain. Hold onto your book because the suspense begins at page 1 and does not let up!!! I can't wait for the 3rd book in this series based upon the intriguing ending of this vampire, ethereal, and demonic creatures action packed novel!!!

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The Burning Shadow (Origin #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Burning Shadow by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG I could not stop reading this book!!! Jennifer L. Armentrout's 2nd Origin book was such a heart stopping mystery and thriller---just like all of her books! Evie really doesn't know who she is, her memories of being someone else will just happen and when she and Luc, the Darkest Star Origin get together, there is always anger, passion, questions, and answers that defy description. The ending is OMG, I just can't believe it---if you love urban fantasy and paranormal romance, this book and the series is the BEST! I can't wait for the final book, it is going to kill me...

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Nevernight (The Nevernight Chronicle #1) by Jay Kristoff

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I liked this 1st in the series for many reasons but I gave it a 4 because of the awfulness of the Red Church higher ups who time and again threatened the Acolytes in such a heinous manner I almost put this book down. But I kept reading because I really rooted for Mia Corvere and not her wanting to exact justice for her family but in spite of everything she really tries to be a good person & not a STONE COLD KILLER!!! I couldn't stomache Mother Drusilla, Jeesamine, Shahiid Mouser, Shahiid Solis, Weaver Marielle, and her brother, Speaker Adonai ---it seemed messed up to be this awful... & even Darkling Cassius did not help her understand who she was and they were both Darklings!!!Thank God for Naev and Tric and Lottie, Mr. Kindly. I am going to keep reading but I reserve the right to put this series down if it continues in the evil vein. I want to believe kick ass Mia will find true friendship, hope and a degree of happiness as a killer.

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The Power of Six (Lorien Legacies #2) by Pittacus Lore

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, I am loving this Lorien series and the narrators are just the BEST!!! John Smith, Friend Sam and their supernatural dog, Bernie Kosar (who can take any kind of animal shape and protects the teens) when they meet the sixth Lorien and she has many VAST & GREAT powers (I love her invisibility best), bands together with John and Sam as they try to keep away from the Mogadorians, find the other teens so they can band together. Marina is the other point of view/chosen Lorien located in Spain, frustrated by her Sapon, Adelina, who has embraced religion and rejected Marina, Marina befriends a new orphan, Ella and follows John Smith's stories on the internet convinced he is just like her and needs her help. I was transfixed with the psychological, physical, and supernatural aspects of each Lorien teen. I can't wait for the next book in the series---I will be listening!!!

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Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7) by Sarah J. Maas

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this series and this final book resolved so much appropriately with characters; it made my heart happy. I will so miss these characters but I do believe I could read this series again; I loved the characters; they became like family- genuine, tugging at my heart with their sorrow, losses, and the pure evil that was Maeve and Erawan who threatened to tear apart the world with their evil domination plans of Princess/spiders, in addition to their enslaved Vlag princes/soldiers, etc. I enjoyed so many of the characters- female and male. They inspired me with their hope, courage, determination to see a better world---and their whole hearted support of Aelin. I loved Elide, Lysandra, Evangeline, Yrene, Manon, and Asterin. Their supporting male characters were just as supportive- I am in love with Rowan, Lorcan, Aedion, Chaol, Dorian, Gavriel, Ren, Murtague and Gavin. Even though I really really despised the evil characters; Maas created empathetic characters along the way which helped me as a reader not to lose hope. I love Maas' characters, worldbuilding, and fantastical/magic worlds- her plot in this final book hit all the points created in the series and hit them all to resolve many questions, mysteries, and give a very satisfactory ending to this sumptuous epic tale of an assassin who becomes so much more. Highly recommended!

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City of Ghosts (Cassidy Blake, #1) by Victoria Schwab

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just continue to fall more and more in love with Victoria Schwab (& pseudonym V.E. Schwab) books!!! I read this book as part of the #yearofYA twitter chat on Middle Grade Books taking place 10/6 at 8PM EST, please join us!!! Cassidy Blake died and was brought back by a ghost who becomes her best friend, Jacob. As she navigates her "new" life, the Veil, her parents who hunt ghosts for a living; she is part and parcel of a new adventure when her parents surprise her with a documentary TV show "The Inspecters" they are hosting that takes them to Edinburgh. I reveled in Cassidy, her joys and fears, her hauntings were riveting, and I can't wait to join her continued adventures (hopefully Lara will follow her) with Jacob as she is dragged to a new TV ghost location in Book 2!!! Highly recommended!

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Origin (Lux #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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

The tension and good feels for Daemon and Katy really ramped up in this 4th book of the Lux series. Katy has been captured and taken by/to Daedalus for testing purposes- the DOD really want to see what hybrid Katy can do and they are hoping Daemon will try to find her so they can test him too. What they put Katy through is awful (she knows what Bethany went thru and how it eats at her thoughts and self worth) and Daemon will stop at nothing to get to get to Katy. Daemon seeks out Luc, who we find out is an Origin (really scary stuff). If Daemon can get him the H11 serum he promises he will get him to Katy and OUT. This series has me gripped with all kinds of feels and it will you too! Can't believe I never knew about this series!!! The latest book will be out this fall and it is about Luc, can't wait---but I still have #5 Opposition on my shelf to read, can't wait!

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Vicious (Villains #1) by V. E. Schwab

Vicious by V.E. Schwab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, do I love V.E. Schwab's books---both her YA and adult and this adult series is a winner!!! Victor is a college student; he is not really likable and so far all of his roommates have not worked out until Eli Cardane. Both Eli & Victor get along, they are very smart and annoying- until senior thesis time when Eli comes up with a thesis that intrigues them both - but also literally has them experiencing near death and when resurrected- they each have Extraordinary abilities---but this is the reason they become enemies - Eli believes they are now unnatural and he must do away with them (because surely there are others) - but first Eli sends Victor to jail for 10 years and the first person Victor wants to find is Eli, I wonder why??? I could not stop turning the pages---many characters are evil but there are also the unsuspecting characters. Eli is twisted and a cold blooded killer, but I enjoyed the cold-bloodedness of Victor (I think because I really liked his sidekicks Mitch and Sydney). Schwab's writing and worldbuilding were chilling, I can't wait for #2!

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Scooby Apocalypse (Vol. 1) by Keith Giffen

Scooby Apocalypse, Volume 1 by Keith Giffen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this graphic novel the beginning of a series I enjoyed as part of the 2018 HUB Reading Challenge and can't wait to continue the series of this award winner. The gangs adventures continue as the world's chaos continues with ScoobyDoo!

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The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was just beginning my time as a librarian (1996) and Oh did I love this series with Lyra and Pantalaimon as Lyra's dæmon (they are bound to each other in her world)!!! Now listening to Philip Pullman's narration (with a cast of characters to help with the many voices) it was just so lush, divine, and exciting to listen as I drove to West Chester to watch my grandchildren. Pullman's voice was melodious, awesome & frightful. I loved the interplay of good characters ( Iorek Byrnison, Iofur Raknison, Lee Scoresby, Roger Parslow, Serafina Pekkala) and the evil characters (Mrs. Coulter and Lord Asriel). Lyra's & her daemon's voice were perfect and the adventures took her to many places, taught her how to lie, be a spy and further cemented that she was a very special child indeed with a legacy she must forge. If you like witches, magic, fantasies, series, this book begins and awesome series you can't put down (but sometimes the horror made me want to!!!) you must read how little Lyra rises to the challenge England and beyond!

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