The Long Game (The Fixer Book2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Long Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Long Game, Book # 2 in The Fixer series did not disappoint; if anything, I could not stop reading because each chapter just pulled you in more with Tess's intrigue (she has so many secrets she can't tell anyone) and like her mother, Ivy (she deals at the highest levels fixing things in Washington, D.C.) In this book so much is going on and talk about tense moments and then the thrills when the good happens. But also there were tense moments where horrendous things happened, Ivy & Tess, had no control, they were at the mercy of twisted hateful people. I really can't wait for Book #3 but I will end with "Why, Henry???" and also "Why, Tess???" It will be interesting to see how Tess' group continues to FIX in Book 3.

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What Light by Jay Asher

What Light by Jay Asher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the Sierra who lives & loves CA 10 1/2 months of the year but I really loved the beauty and visuals Sierra provided as she romanticized her month 1/2 return to Oregon to sell trees with her family at their Christmas tree farm. And just when she gets used to her Dad scaring off the boys and never getting involved in a relationship, she meets Caleb. As she gets to know Caleb, she finds out early he has a secret (but more like gossip because no one has the real story) and as she gets to know him as a guy buying trees for needy families, working at a restaurant to earn more for the trees, Sierra sees for herself that she needs Caleb to tell her his story. Once this happens Sierra finds out about his ruined family life, no friends, and decides she really wants to continue to learn more about him because he likes hot coca with peppermint just like her. A nice light holiday story, another great read from Jay Asher.

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March: Book Three by John Lewis

March: Book Three by John Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this graphic novel as part of the 2107 Hub Challenge, and like his other graphic novels- John Lewis puts into words & illustrations his role in the 1960's history in America, in the forefront of the fight for civil rights, the right to vote, leading nonviolent marches, this series provides a compelling palette for teens (I think all adults need to read this stunning book/series) of the trials, deaths, and attacks blacks were made to suffer over and over again in their fight for the right to vote, sit on the bus, use the same facilities in the South where many (even in the White House) were content (eager) to do whatever needed to be done to keep this from happening. I loved Nate Powell's illustrations, so true, so compelling, so relatable to teens.

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#scandal by Sarah Ockler

a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17415348-scandal" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px">#scandal by Sarah Ockler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love Sarah Ockler books, Lucy finds out what scandal really means when she is set up by some mean person at the after prom party. Lucy has always been very careful, a homebody who likes to play internet games with her friends rather than go out. But when BF Ellie begs her to go to prom with her boyfriend, Cole- as much as Lucy doesn't want to do it (she has been in love with him for the last 4 years the day he moved into her neighborhood) she agrees to help her best friend out. What she wakes up to the next day is someone taking her phone, uploading pics of her and Cole & other friends at the party. This is a true cyberbullying lesson that just keeps happening day in and day out- destroying lives, friendships, and shows how mean people (and friends) can be. Yes she finds out who perpetrated it, but what good will it do- she does get Cole and learns some REAL lessons in the process.

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Gemina (Book 2 The Illuminae Files) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Gemina by Amie Kaufman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, did I LOVE this 2nd audiobook in the series I listened to for the 2017 Hub Book Challenge. The narrartion was out of this world by Carla Corvo , Steve West , P.J. Ochlan, full cast (I wish I knew all their names, they were fantastic) and had me on edge as I worked out listening to Hanna and Nik try to out maneuver the BeiTech assault teams. Just as Illuminae was full of action, fighting, conniving, so were Hanna, Nik and his cousin Elana being overly sleep deprived- forced to try to match their wits against alien predators and the enemy. Will they be able to do what Kady Grant and Ezra Mason did in Book 1? You bet! Hang onto your seat because you are in for a wild ride!

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The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein

The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Group and Disney-Hyperion for the ARC, The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein. Once again, Wein has crafted masterful historical fiction you can’t put down. Julie returns home for the summer from boarding school three days early and since no one is expecting her, she decides to walk around what remains of her grandfather’s home in Scotland that is being renovated to accommodate a new school. Instead, Julie wakes up three days later in the hospital with a head injury, no memory of what happened, and no one knows her identity in the hospital. It is when Julie wakes up to find good friend and librarian, Mary, ready to tell what little she knows, that this novel roars into adventure and thriller. As the mystery unfolds about what happened with Julie, there are many other things going on in this riveting novel of family, friendship, finding one’s place in the world and the courage to right wrongs. Through Julie’s eyes the reader is treated to the beauty of the Scottish countryside, their wonderful people (even the much maligned Travellers who rescued Julie), the rich history of her grandfather’s home, the pearl industry history and the compounding mysteries Julie, Ellen and Sandy are racing to solve. Julie, her mother, her brothers Jamie and Sandy, were authentic, wonderful, finely drawn characters. I cringed whenever Mary, the Water Bailiff, and other law enforcement officers belittled and blamed the Travellers, Ellen, Euan and their family due to their blinding prejudices and fear. Wein once again has crafted a beautiful, gripping, tense novel. Highly recommended!

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Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Caraval by Stephanie Garber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this epic, grand story and loved Rebecca Soler's narration of two sisters, an abusive father, a constricted life, and the chance(s) to escape it all to find love, happiness, hope, and maybe fear? Told from Scarlett's POV; Solar's voice was real showing her love and fear for younger sister, Tella. Their father is a governor in their small town and has been hitting them and psychologically holdoing them hostage for years (ever since their mother disappeared. As Scarlett looks forward to marrying a duke and spiriting her sister to safety with her new marriage- tickets arrive for the Caraval, which grants the winner a wish. As Scarlett prepares to run away and participate in Caraval but get back in time for her wedding- oh do things go so wrong, change, etc. With Caraval, no one is who they seem, there is a problem with time, people lie, scheme, and act as riddles and clues spur players forward. I loved Scarlett and her pull toward Julian was sizzling. I can't wait for Book 2!

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