Dark Triumph (His Fair Assassin #2) by Robin LaFevers

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really really loved Sybella, the plot twists, her revulsion within herself about so many things (being a member of the D'Albret family) but for as low as she got (she would have been willing to kill/die herself) she always HOPED for a better life as a person and Mortain's Assassin. This 2nd book continued the Anne of Brittany story and the machinations of D'Albret to woo Anne, then probably kill her, etc - because this is how he works. He is such a scheming lowlife but he uses fear, punishment and yes, even death (he likes to hurt people) to get what he wants regardless. But Sybella continues where Ismae left off in the first book, as a spy and assassin, for Mortain and the abbess (I really can't stand her and want her gone by the 3rd book!!!) There was so much angst because Sybella's family life is truly horrific but it is her chance of seeing the Beast of Waroch across the battlefield that changes her life and oh did I love his character and how his strength and courage and sheer goodness begin to effect hope and love into her life. Such a great story, looking forward to the last book in the series, already got it from the library! Thank you to #yearofya for challenging me to read this most awesome series!!!!

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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!

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The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater

The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives by Dashka Slater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this jarring nonfiction book for #2jennsbookclub twitter chat to be held Thursday 2/8 at 8PM EST, this was a riveting read and I am sure the chat will be, too! Dashka Slater, the author, covered this story first in the NYTimes and this compassionate, achingly real story of 2 teens, a crime, on a bus in Oakland, CA. I learned so much about the juvenile court system from this book, the power of forgiveness, how choices can radically change lives, and how teens are many times misunderstood and need adults (lawyers, police, parents, school officials, court personnel) to really understand their choices, and how very important empathy is in every day life and could mean the difference in an incarcerated youth's life. I think everyone needs to read this book; teens, adults, school employees, lawyers, judges will all be impacted by Sasha and Richard's story. You can help but be torn apart with their story. If Sasha and their parents (Sasha identifies as agender) and Richard and his mom, were different - Richard's life could have been even more harsh (adult vs juvenile). Not many people could be burned as Sasha was and together with their parents, forgive and hold no animosity. Likewise Richard's mom knew what her son did was horrendous, stupid and unforgivable but she knew he was a 16 year old who did not always understand the impact of what he did (being in a juvenile detention at age 14) but she visited him every week, and became his supporter while apologizing and supporting Sasha's family. Highly recommended!!!

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The Cruel Prince (The Folk of Air #1) by Holly Black

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this audiobook as part of the Female Fantasy Phenom chat for #yearofYA Tuesday 1/30 at 8PM EST. I love Holly Black books, faerie especially (Darkest Part of the Forest and Tithe series)! I can honestly say, I was addicted to listening but I was sick to my stomach- I ached for Jude and her twin, mortals being raised in the world of faerie. The only character I really liked for who they were was Vivianne, the faerie oldest sister of Jude. She hates her fairie father, Madoc, for the heinous murder of their parents and forcing them to live in faerie. Even worse, Jude and Taryn, both want to belong to this world that hates mortals (Viv wants to leave this world, her world). Jude plots to have power over those who despise her kind, yearn to be a knight, spy for Prince Dane and is constantly disappointed and plotted against (all the while honing her skills at deception, murder, and intrigue. Her sister tries to be Jude's opposite in every way-blind into the background, and don't argue. I wish I liked Jude more, but Black keeps foiling every thing Jude does and she is constantly a pawn in a very dangerous world, meeting with failure and heartbreak- can she remain STRONG for the fight she has plotted with the Ghost, Bomb and her Court of Shadow spies?

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American Panda by Gloria Chao

American Panda by Gloria Chao
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing and Simon Pulse for the advance reader copy American Panda by Gloria Chao in exchange for an honest review. Gloria Chao has written an honest, heartbreaking book about perfect Taiwanese daughter, Mei, who at age seventeen, is a freshman at MIT with weekly visits for dinner by her overbearing, judgmental parents who have her future meticulously planned for her- become a doctor (she really hates germs) and wed a Taiwanese doctor (arranged marriage, of course!). I suffered along with her as she realizes she can’t be the perfect daughter and will she be cast off as daughter just like her brother was? With the help of her brother and Darren (the forbidden Japanese boy) and digging deep within herself, I relished Mei’s journey to happiness, a future in dance, new friends, and a future with dreams. Chao’s description of Mei’s Taiwan culture and beliefs, and food was authentic. The characters and plot were fully fleshed, I could not put this book down. Teens will laugh, empathize, and wrap their arms around Mei, her MIT experience, and being an insecure teen with family ties that hurt more than helped. I fell in love with Mei, highly recommended!

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Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin #1) by Robin LaFevers

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this series as part of #yearofYA twitter chat at 8PM EST Tuesday 1/30/18, our January topic is Female Fantasy Phenoms and oh did I love it!!! Ismae is persecuted as a child into adulthood because she is the spawn of the God of Death. Her father beats her and then her pig farmer husband beats her and as he runs in fear when he sees her scar (given to her at birth) Ismae is saved by a convent of nuns who train her in the art of seduction and murder (all the many ways men can be killed and poisoned) as the God of Death, Mortain decrees (the nuns' visions from Mortain or the mark (stain) on the skin decreeing death. During a time of much trouble in Brittany, there is treachery afoot and Ismae falls headlong into intrigue, poison, and murder. What she does not count on is running into problems of many kinds as she poses as mistress to Gavriel Duval (bastard son of royalty) which has her questioning herself, the nuns, and many evil forces who will stop at nothing to ensnare the young duchess into political treachery and marriages with strings. I loved Ismae and Duval- they were worthy opponents; honest, funny, and driven to ensure the safety of those they are to protect. The bad guys were deliciously evil especially Madame Dinan, her half brother D'Albret, and Cunard. The world building was skillful and the plot was gripping, and chilling and I LOVED it. I already have Dark Triumph on hold at the library; highly recommended! So sorry it took me so long to read this thriller!!!

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Court of Fives by Kate Elliott

Court of Fives by Kate Elliott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this female author, protagonist fantasy series as part of #yearofya book chat to be held 1/30 at 8PM EST, come join the discussion! I must admit, I could not put this book down and I have to really thank bloggers, The Book Smugglers for their consistent discussion of Kate Elliott's series and oh did it fit perfectly with my chat this month, I am only SO sorry it took me this long to read- I can't wait to read the other books in the series too. I confess the world Jes and her family come from was horrible- all about social classes and since her father and mother never married- while her father was commanding armies in wars, Jes's mom was home (beautiful and kind) raising 4 girls and as the story begins her mother is pregnant with another and since she has not born a boy and no marriage...what happens when her father's patron dies (murdered by poison)is AWFUL for Jes and her family!!! Her Dad (must) make a decision that rocks Jes, her mom and sisters' worlds!!! Since their father was never home and there was no marriage (which was a bad thing) the girls were never allowed to go anywhere and it was a big secret that Jes competed behind a mask with the Court of Fives. On the day her father is honored due to his exploits in the war, Jes must slip out to compete and when she must throw her win (she can never take off that mask) an evil Lord finds her and makes her life hell because she is the best around in Court of Fives and he will have her (what is his final reason?). I could not put this book down, the writing, world building and characters as well as the political intrigue were all so well done but I ached for Jes and the threat of sending her to the mines by the evil lord. I loved her friendship with Kal, too. But she was plucky, kept looking at everything like it was the Court of Fives games, would not admit defeat and as a result I cannot wait to read, The Poisoned Blade, 2nd in the series!

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