As Bright As Heaven by Susan Meissner

As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Narrated by: Cassandra Morris, Tavia Gilbert, Jorjeana Marie, Abigail Revasch, this historical fiction novel takes place in Philadelphia 1918 as the Great War rages but Spanish flu pandemic also adds to the deaths. A family moves from Quakertown PA to take over the uncle's funeral parlor and reeling from the death of their 6 month old, the Bright family tries to adjust to this new life/new home as the flu hits. I loved the Bright girls and the way they matured in the story, growing stronger in their beliefs, love life and the family undertaking business. This is one of the Albright College Book Club read recommended by Deb Tarrant! I loved this story!

View all my reviews

Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him by Luis Carlos Montalvan

Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him by Luis Carlos Montalván
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this true story about a battle scarred veteran from Iraq, who is saved by a golden retriever, Tuesday. This story shines a light on the veterans' lives from the Iraq War and the failings of the Army and the Veteran's Administration as well as the workings of dog rescue agencies. I loved Luis Montalvan's voice, this book kept me riveted as I learned so many things about war, soldiers who are wounded warriors, and how they try to adapt the world after war.

View all my reviews

The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, I loved this audiobook (and I am sure the book is just as GOOD) so much---if I could have sat and listened to the whole 12 hours and 51 minutes, I would have---the plot and Saskia's narration were riveting, pulse pounding and thrilling! I will be reading the book because I intend to have this title read by my Albright College Zoom Book Club and I know I will just love it even more then. The story of a Russian history major, Mila Pavlichenko, becoming the most deadly sniper in Russian history, during Hitler's invasion of Russia, was captivating due to so many things in her life---she was 15 when she meets Pavlichenko and he seduces her, she gets pregnant and must marry him. He is a thoroughly despicable person who is only out for himself and he tortures Mila every time they meet - he also never appears the 2 time she spends money she does not have to divorce him! Luckily Mila has wonderful parents who she lives with after the end of her marriage. She loves her son so much and only wants to complete her dissertation and raise him to the most wonderful son she knows he is. But that is interrupted when she is drafted and becomes the famous sniper. I could go on and on about this book---but this is a MUST READ! Mila, her life, and her place in history are in my heart forever due to Kate Quinn's compelling research and her power to craft the best STORY! Highly reocmmended.

View all my reviews

Pax, Journey Home (Pax, #2) by Sara Pennypacker

Pax, Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, this 2nd Pax book was so awesome; I ached for Peter, Pax, and Pax's young kit. Pennypacker's beautiful plot kept me on edge but kept pulling me back with her message of love and letting love in was both wondrous and beautiful. I jumped up and down with the surprise ending, thankful for the deep details, adventures, and trials Peter and Pax challenge themselves to survive. Told from the alternating perspectives of Pax and Peter, the chapters deal with families, the after effects of the war, the devastation of the land and water, and the new friendships Peter forges. This is such a heart warming read; highly recommended!

View all my reviews

Grenade by Alan Gratz

Grenade by Alan Gratz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ray is a new, young American soldier just arrived in Okinawa in 1945 and Hideki is a young student who lives on Okinawa and has been conscripted to fight in the Blood and Iron Corps while his sister has been sent to a hospital as a nurse. As both young men fight in the war, the reader learns how ruthless the Japanese are, how awful war is and how the devastation of an island reaches deep into all who are defending it...Gratz's Notes at the end were very enlightening and sobering. War brings out the worst in some people and the best in others. Seeing Okinawa from Hideki's eyes was revealing as he traverses the island; readers will be gripped with Hideki's sadness and fear. Highly recommended.

View all my reviews

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.

View all my reviews

The Poisoned Blade (A Court of Fives Novel #2) by Kate Elliott

Poisoned Blade by Kate Elliott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I began reading this series for #yearofya January twitter chat Fantasy Phenoms (also highly recommend by Book Smugglers) and I just fell in love with Kate Elliott's harsh world of the Patrons, the Commoners, all the back stabbing, murders, and whatever else it takes by the royalty. Jes's world of the Court of Fives (viciously dictated by Lord Garagon- oh do I despise him) falls right into the path of the coming war and dreaded what it would mean for Jes, Kal (love them together!!!) Ro (the poet), her mother, her father (I really want to like him but the choices he has made have also forced him to be so so rigid with his daughter and I don't really like that she wants/needs his admiration). I have every confidence in her constant scheming to keep her family safe, get revenge on Lord Garagon, and in her travels garner the attention and notoriety she needs to keep her family safe and spy on the royals who will stop at nothing to get what they want and who they want on the throne. I am rooting for Kal and Jes in Book 3 but I also cringe at what may happen to Jes's world; I hope she can continue to be the fierce, formidable female protagonist!

View all my reviews

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In an unnamed country, Nadia meets Saeed in evening school and they strike up a friendship that quickly becomes something more- because of the war and strife being visited upon their country. There was so much to love about these two people but they were hard working trying to exist in a world that is being torn apart. As they traverse their life, apart, and then together, they become very close but do not get engaged or married. They care deeply for each other and as the book proceeds they go through so much together. I loved Mohsin Hamid's writing; his characterization and his plot, and setting were all marvelously strung together, kept me turning the pages, and hoping for an end to their "war" both in the world and trying to find a new life.

View all my reviews

Traitor to the Throne (A Rebel of the Sands Novel #2) by Alwyn Hamilton

Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my! What a gripping, adventure filled 2nd book that twisted my insides (the Sultan, the imprisoned Demdji, Amani's imprisonment) and I could not stop reading this heart-stopping story of the Blue-Eyed Bandit and her Foreign Prince & Rebel Prince and their continued machinations to obtain freedom for those in her desert. In this book, Amani is thoroughly enmenshed with her comrades Ahmed, Jin, Shazad, Delila, Hala, Imin, Izz & Maz in constant plans to thwart the Sultan. When Amani is captured by the Sultan I was truly afraid. Her aunt received a lot of money to give the Sultan a Demji so that he could further his deadly plans. What he makes Amani do after he inserts copper & iron his skin was hair-raising & her time in the harem was truly desperate. I can only say this is a must read- the whole series so far has had me laughing, crying, wringing my hands & rooting for Amani & her comrades. Could not stop turning the pages & oh do I love Amani - she is strong, always thinking, honest (we know why), has a temper and will run when she can't handle things - and where does that get her???

View all my reviews

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns & Roses #3) by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this 3rd book in the series! Maas' world building had me enthralled, I read 707 pages in 2 days & loved every minute of it. Fayre & Rhys were just so strong as the The High Lord and The High Lady together! Fayre grew to be so much stronger in this book; her bond with Rhys allowed her to feel she mattered, she could do anything, she could repair herself and she could forgive herself. I loved the tight knit group of Mor, Amren, Cassian and Ariel - but Elain & Nesta becoming involved in Fayre's world, helping with the Cauldron & trying to find their abilities was awesome. Lucien became very important once again as Feyre's friend and I was glad he fell in love with her world (among other things). I hated Hybern, Eris, and Ithane - evil, evil, people! There were many surprise characters like the Bone Setter & The Suriel- readers will love them. The war scenes were always brutal, bloody, took so much out of them all. Alliances were made & forged- friendships were strengthened & there were many romantic moments (Feyre & Rhys's bedroom scenes were scintillating). Can't wait for #4 - I so enjoy this SERIES!!!

View all my reviews

The Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry

All the Truth That's in Me by Julie Berry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Julie Berry's The Passion of Dolssa and All the Truth That's In Me was on a best reads and this book was so so sad about Judith, a young girl who is taken from her home & held hostage for 2 years by a crazy man (who happens to be the father of a the boy she has loved her whole life) and returns to find almost everyone has turned against her and Judith can't say a thing because he cut out 1/2 her tongue (and her mom won't let her speak)! The small mindedness of this community was staggering - her mother hates her, her brother calls her Worm, the town thinks she is a whore all the while she loves Lucas and bears the derision of so many. Will Judith be able to lift the curse the village has bestowed upon her and will Lucas ever know how much Judith loves him? A searing look at truth, family and the fear of neighbors in a backward time in history.

View all my reviews

Empire of Storms (#5 Throne of Glass) by Sarah J Maas

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, what a read; if I could have just inhaled it in one day, I most certainly would have!!! Queen Aelin was spectacular; she was strong, yet vulnerable, always thinking of ways to save her kingdom, forming alliances, fighting battles and growing the bonds of her commanders-those she trusts with her life - I absolutely loved Rowan, Dorian, Lysandra, Aedion, Elide and yes, Manon. The magic was spellbinding and also horrific; the relationships oh so sweet the way Maas builds them. I will be honest that I was not happy with the ending; but I can't wait for the next book either!

View all my reviews

And I Darken by Kiersten White

And I Darken by Kiersten White
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, I loved this historical fiction book, characters and plot! Imagine antiheroine, Lada Dragwyla, during the Ottoman Empire. She is the opposite of her brother, Radu, who is sweet, kind, and soft-spoken - constantly terrorized by his sister but also loved deeply by Lada. When they are given over as prisoners to the Sultan, Lada only wants to return to her homeland, Wallachia. But once they meet, Mehmet, the heir to the Ottoman empire and a kindred spirit- these three form a very strong bond of friendship. I loved White's characters, even minor ones like Kumar. I loved/hated Lada, Radu and Mehmet- you will too. I can't wait to see what happens as more war, passion, atrocities, and betrayal continue to play out in this 2nd in The Conquerors Saga.

View all my reviews

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this book, the writing and the characters! Kristin Hannah has written a spellbinding historical Fiction novel about the horrors of WWII in France, a family torn apart by war and the courageous things people will do. Before the war, Vianne and Isabelle Rossignol are two sisters who have suffered the loss of their mother, the rejection by their father, and a chasm between them. When WWII breaks out, life is turned upside down; Isabelle who has always been a rebel, becomes a heroine who saves pilots while her sister must endure Commandant Beck billeted in their home. I was so sickened by the Nazi atrocities toward the Jews & French men, women and children but I rooted for the sisters to persevere and endure. A compelling must read; highly recommended!.

View all my reviews

The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Book One) by Rae Carson

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great series I found on my Goodreads TBR shelf & decided to use it for my twitter chat with June #YearofYA discussion at 8pm EST Monday 6/27. Rae Carson's world building from main character's view, Elisa, who is 16 years old and being married off to a King from a neighboring region. Elisa's point of view is one of honesty and uncertainty- she knows she is special because she bears a Godstone that has powers, but unlike her sister, Elisa is fat, like a sausage and useless. But as her life unfolds, the reader finds, along with Elisa, that she is anything but useless. I can't wait to jump into the other two books in this series to see how she continues to grow, help others, plan war strategies, and who becomes a leader (head of the Malficio) who is feared & beloved. Readers will be treated to a irresistible fantasy with a strong heroine who deals with war, romance, and fighting for those you love.

View all my reviews

The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski

The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, loved this series, love Kestrel and Arin, could not stop reading the drama of war, treachery, lying, secrets, and betrayal. As Arin readies for war, becomes one with his "war" god and finally believes he has rid himself of any feelings for Kestrel after her last betrayal. Kestrel has not married the Prince and was put in chains by the emperor and her father and send to the tundra prison. The heart pounding does not stop throughout this whole book; will Arin & Kestrel find each other again; can they even stand each other, and who will win the war? Highly recommended series, I am excitedly looking for more books from Marie Rutkoski. Will be including this thriller in my #yearofya twitter chat, Tuesday 4/26 at 8pm, join the discussion!

View all my reviews

The Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh wow! The Glass Sword was just as chilling and The Red Queen and I could not stop listening to this audiobook, I was hooked. As Mare, Cal, Farley and Kilorn look for New Bloods from Julian's list - those like Mare that have special abilities - Mare reunites with her brother, Shade who I absolutely loved. Like Mare, he has amazing abilities- but I will not be divulging - you must read the book. Fleeing Maven and the Silver's was a taut race that kept Mare and her band jumping, crashing, and trying to outwit the Silvers. I rooted for Mare- she doubted herself constantly and made judgments and voiced concerns that did not sit well with her as well as others. Her relationships are tested sorely, she is miserable, and really questions who she is as she kills just like Maven & the Silvers to. I hate that I have to wait for #3 but it gives me lots of time to think about Aveyard's great characters (loved the New Bloods) the intricate plot twists and that darn ending!

View all my reviews

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkowski

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Marie Rutkowski's worlds of Valoria and Herran are breathtaking, powerful, and full of a hateful history of conquering and enslaving the Herrani as slaves. Kestrel is the obstinate, defiant daughter of the most powerful general who pressures her to marry or enlist. When Kestrel purchases a slave (on a dare) she sets into motion a series of earth shattering events. Will Kestrel dare to become enamored of this slave? I could not put this book down- the characters, setting, and plot are all richly drawn and I am jumping right into the 2nd book, The Winner's Crime!!! Highly recommended, especially if you like love, dalliances, adventure, and drama- this is the book (series)for you!

View all my reviews

Dogs of War by Sheila Keenan & Nathan Fox

Dogs of War by Sheila Keenan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This graphic novel was part of the 2014 Hub Reading Challenge. I loved the three stories of dogs in WWI, WWII and the Vietnam War and their accomplishments, bravery and love for their handlers. Their stories were inspired by real military history. I especially liked the final story about Sheba, a German Shepherd, who stayed in Vietnam to continue to serve while his handler returned with PTSD, and how a boy and his dog Bouncer, helped him to search for answers. Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

The Shadow Throne by Jennifer Nielsen

The Shadow Throne by Jennifer A. Nielsen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

NetGalley, thank you for this wonderful book! At long last, the third installment in the Ascendance Trilogy! Jennifer Neilsen keeps the pages turning with Jaron’s kingdom, Carthya waging war against Avenia. As a very young king, Jaron must keep his wits about him, protect his kingdom, and win a war where they are outnumbered in every possible way. Jaron uses his bravado and coupled with wit and determination; he is able to pull off many impossibilities. Roden heads the military and Tobias helps the injured soldiers . King Vargan of Avenia is hateful and will stop at nothing to wipe out Carthya. There is drama in the Imogen and Amarinda love triangle, but you will just have to read this rip roaring good book to find out. Who will survive this war? Like the other two books, hold on for nonstop action and adventure. Highly recommended.

View all my reviews