Truly Devious (Truly Devious #1) by Maureen Johnson

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this truly spine tingling YA mystery (even better, it is a series!!!) for #2jennsbookclub twitter chat taking place 10/11 at 8PM EST, join us for a great book and even better chat!!! Stevie is such an awesome female protagonist who knows who she is and what she wants - to go to Ellingham Academy and solve the Ellingham mystery & murders. She gets into the exclusive school despite her parents being against it (and Stevie) for a host of reasons that were so annoying. Stevie meets many different students, jumps into solving the mystery, and loves her classes. From day one though, Stevie senses something is weird and it will take the death of a student, tunnels, friends and their "isms" and makeout sessions that will scare Stevie into believing Truly Devious has struck again. Although I wasn't a fan of the ending; I was a fan of Maureen Johnson's awesome ability to write a detective/mystery thriller that had me gobbling up this suspenseful crime thriller. 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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China Rich Girlfriend (Crazy Rich Asians #2) by Kevin Kwan

China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to this audiobook by new narrator, Lydia Look- she was good but I had to get used to her because I listened to and LOVED Crazy Rich Asians narrated by Lynn Chen, too! I have to admit that that I love Rachel (and her college friend), Michael, Astrid, and Charlie Wu plotlines---and really do not enjoy any of the other characters and the family and social dynamics. So as I listened to this 2nd book in the series; I was once again reminded how awful many of these characters are- driven by money and surface judgments, not reality and human kindness. So I have already downloaded Book 3 but only to find out what happens to these characters and if there is not an uplifting ending; I will not be happy.

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The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis

The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for the middle grade book twitter chat being held by #YearofYA on 10/9 at 8PM EST, come join us. I could not put this book down (CPC's writing is thought-provoking, powerful and true) but I wanted to turn away (the horror of what Cap'n Buck was & what he did to ALL people, but slaves mostly made my stomach turn) from the painful, fearful reality of 12 year old Charlie Bobo's once his father dies & Cap'n Buck enters. This book takes place in 1858 and features the South Carolina dialect which middle school kids (and some adults) might have problems with ---but I also think this is a perfect class novel, with a teacher's wonderful guidance, knowledge of history, and understanding of human nature enriching the middle school reader experience. There was so much stacked against Charlie (even his height) it didn't seem fair---but I loved that he was able to constantly recall what he was taught by his parents and that helped him as his fear and despondency threatened to take over. Little Charlie's ignorance, being raised on racism and bigotry, and the poverty he suffered really had me rooting for his courage and bravery. A must read for all; Curtis does a powerful job!

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Illegal by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin, Giovanni Rigano (illustrator)

Illegal by Eoin Colfer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Goodreads description reads "a book for all children" & I read it as part of #yearofYA twitter chat topic, middle school books, but this timely graphic novel really calls to be read by EVERYONE. Beginning with a touching, truthful quote from Elie Weisel, this devastating fictional story uses Ebo's harrowing journey detailed with awesome artwork to show what illegal immigration, fleeing to find family in other countries, and the desperation of being a refugee look like in our world today. A compelling social issue that breaks your heart.

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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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She Lies in Wait (DCI JOnah Sheens #1) by Gytha Lodge

She Lies in Wait by Gytha Lodge
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advance reader copy, She Lies in Wait by Gytha Lodge, in exchange for an honest review. Oh did I love this book! There was so much suspense as a group of friends goes into the woods for a night of camping, fun, and drinking; and the next morning one of their group is missing. Fast forward thirty years, and the body is discovered very close to their camp site. I especially enjoyed the very capable but human police detectives being led by Detective Chief Inspector Jonah Sheens as they painstakingly reconstruct the crime and investigate without sleep and food to catch a killer (maybe one of the friends?). As Jonah leads his detectives to track down the stories from the suspects, I was riveted until the last page. The suspense kept building and did not disappoint; I will definitely continue to read this thrilling new series. Highly recommended.

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