CARAVAL by Stephanie Garber

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C ome, play a magical and breathtaking game where your deepest wish may be fulfilled! Come to Caraval!

This is the story of two sisters, Scarlett and Tella Dragna, as they journey through a world which blends fantasy with reality. Caraval is actually more than a game. They soon realize this when Tella is kidnapped, and Scarlett will risk everything, even madness, to save her. Prepare yourself for numerous twists and turns, romance and heartbreak, choices and consequences, all of which makes excellent reading. The center of this tale is the love and devotion of the sisters. If you enjoy enchanting locations, riveting romance, and mysterious tunnels, then this is the book for you. Otherwise, you will miss out on meeting my favorite character, Master Legend!

WINTERSONG by S. Jae-Jones

I t is easy to love a man with kindness and gentleness in his heart. Could you love that same man if he had another side which was mysterious and

frightening? As children, Liesl and the Goblin King, shared their love of music. But children grow up. Some forget and some are foolish. Liesl's life now consists of caring for her younger siblings. There is the beautiful but easily tempted Kathe, and Josef, who was born to play the violin. Kathe is abducted by the Goblin King to be his bride. She is taken to the Underground World, and Liesl must follow to save her. Once you enter the Underground world, you cannot leave. It is a world of labyrinths, twisting dank tunnels and darkness. Nothing is as it seems, and lies and deceptions are plentiful. Liesl will have to make the supreme sacrifice to save Kathe. As for the Goblin King, who is he really? Is he lover or jailer, friend or foe, or simply a monster? Are our paths already set in life? Do you believe in fate? This tale is intense, intriguing and at other times almost dream-like. Any happiness here is bittersweet. Do you dare to read it? I hope so, because it was quite good.

W hen you lose a loved one, there is tremendous grief. What if that loved one had kept secrets from you? What if your whole world suddenly

slipped out from under you? Such has happened to Marin, and her first reaction – run! So she did, with only loneliness and emptiness as her companions. Trying to distance herself from this tragedy, she is isolated from those who love her, namely her best friend, Mabel. Now, Mabel is coming to visit. Hopefully with her love and support, Marin will find a way to cope with her past and be ready to brave her future. This is a beautifully written and touching story of the struggles in life and in dealing and accepting the events we cannot control. I especially enjoyed the friendship that Marin and Mabel shared. If you have one true friend, who knows you better sometimes than you know yourself, you are truly lucky. Share this story with that friend.

WE ARE OKAY by Nina La Cour

GILDED CAGE by Vic James (Book One in the Dark Gifts series)

I n a disturbingly, deeply dark, and brutal world, the Equals rule and govern the commoners without mercy. They use their magical and

mysterious skills to live luxuriously while controlling the commoners who work and starve. They are so powerful that one can invade your mind and erase all your memories, especially those not serving their best interests. They can imprison your mind. You are caged. Nothing will change from year to year while the rest of the world moves on around you. Abi and her brother, Luke, like a number of commoners, cannot continue to accept being treated so horribly with no chance for freedom. This tale is their struggle for survival, escape from the monstrous Equals, and finding the courage to forge a better life. This book, aptly named, is one of the best, in my opinion, this year. The characters are intriguing and memorable. You will find yourself sharing their emotions and caring about them from the start. As this world unfolds there are betrayals, forbidden romance, horrific deeds, and so much more. It is an amazing read. I anxiously await the next in the series.

Becca and Cassie Greenfield are seventeen year old twins. They live on a farm, which is no longer productive, in Cell B-97-4275 governed by a Provost. Due to a series of unfortunate incidents, their parents are no longer with them. Children of different ages are disappearing from the Cell and never seen again. No one seems to care until Becca vanishes. Cassie will do whatever it takes and face the monsters responsible to get her sister back home. This is only a small part of the tale. The twins are formidable foes, and they are likable. There are both laugh out loud and cringe worthy scenes. A different world emerges. One of lies, brutality, prisons, tunnels and at all times, keeping balance within the Cell. As in other Patterson books, the chapters are short, page turners and full of surprises. If you enjoy watching victims emerge as heroes, this is a story for you.

CRAZY HOUSE by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet

CAMP SO and SO by Mary McCoy

T wenty-five letters were sent in mid-February inviting twenty-five lucky girls to Camp So and So. With the promise of rock climbing,

horse back riding, theater under the stars and untold adventures, twenty-five applications were returned signed before month's end. In reality, no one within a fifty mile radius of no town on no mountain had ever heard of Camp So and So. This is not your ordinary summer camp. To survive, the girls will require courage and shrewdness. Not all will be returning home. None will return home the same person she was. This was a fun and quick read. There are multiple story lines, some dark some magical, but all entertaining. I spent a purely campy but enjoyable time at Camp So and So, and think you will too. Sign up now! .

GEEKERELLA by Asley Poston Geekerella is a modern retelling of Cinderella with quirks of its own. Elle Wittimer is a geek and a fangirl of Starfield (an outer space series). She lives with her nasty stepmother and mean stepsisters. Her plan is to win a cosplay contest and get invited to the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball where she will meet the actor playing the Federation Prince in the movie remake. Darien Freeman is a rising young star chosen for the lead role in Starfield, that of Prince Carmindor. Darien may have lots of girls chasing him but no true friends. He also does not exude confidence, and only wants to give a performance as Carmindor that the fans will be proud of. This story is delightful, and I could not read it fast enough to see what happened next. Not only Elle and Darien, but the secondary characters had me laughing out loud at times. If you are looking for light-hearted and endearing, pick this up. There is even a magic pumpkin.

STRANGE THE DREAMER by Laina Taylor Strange the Dreamer is a beautifully written engaging story. Its characters are

enchanting and magical, and its mythical world has a dreamlike quality which

will have you wishing you did not have to wake up. Lazlo Strange is a war

orphan and a librarian. Sarai is a goddess who has the gift or curse of being

able to enter other people's dreams. Their love is breathtaking to behold.

This book is epic in so many ways. There is beauty and horror, love and

suffering, hope and despair as well as a twist that had me shouting out loud!

If you enjoy fantasy and adventure, then this is one you should not miss. I

totally loved it, and the cliffhanger is simply driving me crazy. It is a must read!

The BONE WITCH by Rin Chupeco

This fictitious tale was not what I expected. There were no dragons to slay, no treasures to find and not much in the way of my definition of romance. Instead, I found a young girl named Tea whose gift, (She raises her brother from the dead.) has made her a feared bone witch. This discovery forces her to leave home to train under the counsel of an older wiser bone witch. Therein lies the majority of this story, Tea becoming an asha, one who can wield elemental magic. She will prepare for the war that is coming to the eight kingdoms. Her schooling is difficult, and some around her are not to be trusted. However, despite the impediments, she will not only prevail but thrive. This was a slow read for me. However, it has well laid the road for the next book in this series.

Anna Arden is born into high British society. She is a member of the ruling class, the Luminates, those who channel magic to utilize power. Her mysterious gifts disastrously result in unwanted attention from the elite. Therefore, Anna, accompanied by her Grandmama, must flee to her cousins in repressive Hungary. Once there, Anna will find herself in a whirlwind of doubt. The rebellion is forming, and she will be at its center. It can only be successful if she can find, despite her fears, the confidence to embrace who she is. It was a pleasure reading this story. At first, I wasn't sure I even liked Anna. She seemed to be at odds with just about everyone even herself. It became fascinating watching her grow in self confidence, making sacrifices and not only accepting but cherishing her capabilities. I cannot wait to see what she does in the next book in this series.

BLOOD ROSE REBELLION by Rosalyn Eves

WINDFALL by Jennifer E. Smith I have often fantasized about what I would do if somehow I won a million dollars. Best friends Teddy, Alice and Leo are about to have their dreams come true, or are they? Teddy is turning eighteen and Alice is declaring her love for him along with a lottery ticket for his birthday. Turns out Teddy is one of the lottery winners, the youngest millionaire ever, and everyone's life is about to become a whirlwind of adventure and emotion. I absolutely loved this story. It was engrossing, and I was hooked from the first page. What a pleasure to meet these three besties and watch them be there for each other as they each cope with the hurdles and obstacles of their lives. A great novel of friendship, luck and life and perhaps fate as well. It should not be missed. Take a chance. It just might make you change the way you perceive success!

ELIZA AND HER MONSTERS by Francesca Zappia There are monsters in the sea! This is Eliza Mirk's favorite sentence from her madly popular webcomic, “Monstrous Sea”. In the actual world, Eliza is apprehensive, timid and skittish. However, on line she is LadyConstellation, creator of the universe she is happiest to reside in. Then she meets Wallace Warland, a transfer student, who just happens to be the most popular fanfiction writer of her “Monstrous Sea”. Wallace wants to help Eliza to come out of her comfort zone and enjoy life offline. However, an unexpected occurrence jeopardizes their relationship as well as her ability to go on in life. This is an excellent story, and it captured my heart. All the characters are terrific in their own way. Reading this book got me to remembering the challenges of growing up. Eliza and Wallace both have their struggles, self-doubts and fears. I highly recommend reading this novel especially if you have ever been feeling overwhelmed by your fears. It shares some great insight. A must read!

Remember those nights when you can't seem to sleep? Do you have nightmares? You know the ones where you wake up shaking or screaming? This is the tale of seven teens who suffer from terrible insomnia and shattering dreams. Cata, Fergus, BethAnn, Ant, George, Remi, and Sinclair are about to embark upon a radical experimental procedure, only tested once before, to enable them to get their much needed sleep. It doesn't take long for things to go horribly wrong, and the seven find themselves thrown together in a dreamworld where their worst night terrors are coming true. A return to the real world might not be possible. In addition, they are being chased by the Flayed Man. This story is a real page turner. The characters are mostly likable, and there are so many twists and totally unexpected turns that I was kept on the edge of my seat. I look forward to the next installment in this series. Sweet dreams!

A COURT OF WINGS AND RUIN by Sarah J. Maas This is the third installment in the Court of Thorns and Roses series. Feyre has gone back to the Spring Court and Tamlin, but only to gather vital pieces of information concerning the invading King of Hybern. War is coming, and all the High Lords must be convinced to stand together if Prythian is to survive. The battles are epic, and we are given more insight into the secondary, mostly lovable, characters. It is a lavish and expansive conclusion to Feyre's and Rhysand's story. This is a tale of adventure, magic, love and betrayal, torture and redemption, monsters and monstrous doings. I loved it. If you have read the other books, this one will not disappoint. If you have not read this series yet, then I am jealous of what lies ahead for you. Enjoy!

DREAM FALL by Amy Plum

Once upon a time there were royal bastards and a princess living in a world where rebellion was brewing. Tilla is the bastard daughter of Lord Kent of the Western Provinces. She has spent her life split between two worlds due to her birth, craving the comfort and love of one while actually living the reality of the other. Princess Lyriana is a beautiful and powerful Royal Mage who will one day rule the Kingdom of Lightspire. She will be called upon to make a decision whether or not to abandon one world because of her duty to another. At a feast honoring the visiting princess, Lyriana dines at the bastards' table and becomes acquainted with Tilla, Jax (Tilla's half brother who works in the stables), Miles (of House Hampstedt), and Zell (a northern Zitochi warrior). During dinner, Lyriana voices a desire to see the ocean. Wanting to please her, a plan is put in place. While the castle sleeps, the five enter the winding underground tunnels. They reach the ocean just in time to witness a horrific slaughter, and now they must run for their lives. You will enjoy this story as I did if you like adventure and pursuits. As they battle to stay alive, these five will become a family made of determination and courage. Brutality and kindness, betrayal and loyalty and many surprising developments in the plot await you.

ONE OF US IS LYING by Karen M. McManus This narrative is a delicious who done it? It involves five students at Bayview High School. Bronwyn is the brains, Addy is the beauty, Nate is the delinquent, and Cooper is the jock. Simon is the persona non grata, and unfortunately for him, also the victim. The five find themselves unfairly in detention for a prank somebody played on them. Before their confinement is over, Simon is dead and according to the police, it was no accident. Simon was the creator of Bayview High's shocking gossip app, and he was about to post some revealing secrets about each of his four colleagues which would change their lives forever. This was a quick read and a good story. I like the style in which it was written in that each person was telling the story at different times. I would like to say I guessed who did it, but I had not a clue and was taken aback by the end. So for those fans of Sherlock Homes, the game is afoot!

ROYAL BASTARDS by Andrew Shvarts

The Kingdom of Eden has lost its king and crown prince due to treachery and

betrayal. Remaining are twins, Carys and Andreus, who never thought they

would be forced to compete against each other, but the law demands a Trial of

Succession for the throne. In the beginning Carys only wants to aid her brother

in securing the throne. They have always taken care of each other and kept each

other safe. However, Andreus is blinded by his lust for the seer of the court and

with her persuasions begins to view Carys as a threat he must eliminate. I

enjoyed reading this story and look forward to its continuation. The plot is

interesting and the characters somewhat unpredictable. There are surprising

conspiracies, lots of action and powerful magic to be explored. Drop in and

enter the realm!

THE SANDCASTLE EMPIRE by Kayla Olson

How can you trust anyone when no one can trust themselves? It has become a gritty harsh world with no mercy. The Wolfpack control the earth and its resources. Eden is just one of the casualties. Her family was slaughtered, her home eradicated and she is locked up. Eden refuses to accept defeat and knows the only safe haven is Sanctuary Island. So begins a journey to the island and into the jungle with its deadly perils. During her expedition she will meet others who claim to hate the wolves. But do they really? Every step of the way becomes a battlefield even in one's mind. I did enjoy this story. At least most of it. There were a few cringe worthy moments that especially made my skin crawl. At times, I could feel the heat and oppression of the denseness of the brush. If you like action and adventure, sudden and unexpected revelations, this is one for you.

DIVIDING EDEN by Joelle Charbonneau

BLIGHT by Alexandra Duncan AGRASTAR NEEDS YOU! Seventeen year old Tempest is a border guard for the agricultural mega-corporation, AgraStar. Selected for a patrol, things soon begin to go horribly wrong, and now she is in for the fight of her life as everything she ever accepted and trusted is about to be challenged. AgraStar has released the blight in which nothing can survive and nothing will grow. As Tempest works her way to the AgraStar headquarters in Atlanta, bearing a solution which possibly could save mankind, she is about to discover something worse than the blight. She will be forced to make the toughest decisions of her life and relinquish her new-found family leaving them to dire consequences. I was eager to read this novel, and it did not disappoint. This tale is action-packed. It is exciting, thrilling and beautifully written. If you enjoy original, compelling and invigorating storylines, do not miss this one. Here's hoping Tempest's story will continue.

THE DISAPPEARANCES by Emily Bain Murphy

Human beings disappear all the time. However, in the town of Sterling, the stars

have all gone, water does not reflect nor do mirrors, and the flowers have lost

their fragrance. No one dreams anymore, and the aromas of food are absent.

Every seven years something else is taken away, and it all started, the people

whisper, with Juliet Quinn.

Juliet has died and her children, Aila and Miles, have gone to

stay with their mother's best friend in Sterling while their father

has gone to the war. There are so many secrets surrounding them, and

they must all be revealed before this curse can be broken.

This is an enjoyable oft magical mystery with many unpredictable astounding

events. There is also a fair amount of wickedness in

characters and deeds. The story reveals Aila's labors as she

tries to comprehend what led to the curse, how to end it, and

to exonerate her mother.

What do you think you would miss most? Can you even imagine a

day without a mirror?

WORDS IN DEEP BLUE by Cath Crowley Rachel's brother has drowned. They were very close. With him being gone, she is barely existing. She needs a distraction and makes the decision to return to the city. Even if that means returning to the bookstore that Henry's family owns. Henry, her best friend, who she declared her love to in a well placed letter and never received an answer. Henry, in the meantime, has been dumped by his girlfriend and is struggling to keep the bookshop open amidst his family's separation. Rachel and Henry will bring new meaning to the words second chances. They both have so much heart and are so likable. The characters in this book are interesting and enrich the story in so many different ways. This is an excellent and extremely well written tale. I was emotionally captured by this touching and powerful story from the very beginning, and read it in one sitting. Alternating between heart-breakingly funny and outright tears, it is a spectacular riveting read. If you enjoy anything concerning books, bookshops, the closeness of family and friends and relationships that are meant to be, don't walk, run and read this book. It is simply stunning!

BECAUSE YOU LOVE TO HATE ME 13 TALES OF VILLANY Edited by Ameriie. Some villains are born; others are made out of necessity.

This novel includes thirteen extremely dark tales. Make no

mistake, they are not for the squeamish or those with delicate

sensibilities. This exceptional anthology is the result of the combined efforts of

thirteen booktubers and their challenge to best-selling authors to remake the

accounts of certain evildoers.

Each story is gripping, refreshing and impressive. The pages are filled with

giants, sea witches, wolves and unsuspecting victims. Two of my favorites are

“Jack”/Giants and Tyrants and “Indigo and Shade”/Glamorized Recovery:

Expectations vs. Reality.

As a result of this book, my thoughts on the anti-hero are

challenged. Everyone does have their own point of view whether

unpleasant or upright. Have I ever been a villain and not known

it? And what about you?

HOUSE OF FURIES by Madeleine Roux

Coldthistle House beckons to visitors. It has death in the air. For those who are pulled in need to atone for their actions according to the charismatic and mysterious Mr. Morningside. Louisa is a thief and a liar. She is also something else, but the question is what else? Besides being the best “con man”, I have seen in awhile, an exceptional piece of work she is. While people are being kind to her, she is calculating the items to rob, and when/how to make her escape. Truly a very unlikable heroine most of the time, I found myself starting to care about her towards the book's end. The story itself is mesmerizing as the truth of the house and its occupants unravels. If the devil, raging ghosts, captured souls and dark enchantments interest you, try this tale. You will not be disappointed. I eagerly await the next book in this series.

DAUGHTER OF THE BURNING CITY by Amanda Foody MURDER! MURDER! MUR.. WAIT!! Can someone who was never alive be

murdered?

Sorina, daughter of the proprietor of the Gomorrah Festival, Villiam, has created

an extended family using her special gift of illusion. Now some nameless evil is

slaughtering those she loves.

She seeks out Lucas, the gossip worker. He is smart, cunning

and handsome. Together they will hunt down this merciless fiend.

I had great expectations for this story. The characters are

quirky and entertaining and a traveling carnival of depravity and

wickedness an enticing read. There is romance, fantasy, madness and mystery.

Still worth reading, but something was missing for me. The

writing is a bit disjointed, and I could not help wishing there was

more.

THE LEAF READER by Emily Arsenault

A captivating story of a young woman, Marnie, who feels extremely ordinary so when she finds an old book of her grandmother's on reading tea leaves she begins telling fortunes. Of course, she does this for fun and doesn't believe any of it is real, but not everyone feels that way. Matt Cotrell's good friend Andrea Quinley has vanished and presumed dead. However, Matt has been getting emails from someone claiming to be Andrea, and so he turns to Marnie for advice. Secrets abound in this tale and some disturbing reveals concerning friendship. Actually, how well do you know your friends even if you grew up with them? Ever wonder? This book is a page turner that I did not want to put down. I especially enjoyed Matt and Marnie's journey as they managed to uncover the facts of several disappearances and truths about themselves. Cup of tea?

AND THEN THERE FOUR by Nancy Werlin Five students are brought together for a meeting. Antoine who is

popular and charismatic; Saralinda who is shy and struggles with

her clubfoot and diabetes; the wealthy and sarcastic Evangeline;

Martha McKenyon, an uncooperative obstinate student; and Caleb, the

sulken and standoffish son of a famous physician. Before the session

begins, the roof of their meeting place collapses. The five teens are lucky. They

all were supposed to die!

This is a highly addictive story entirely shocking at times. Why would anyone

want to hurt let alone kill these kids? I could never

begin to imagine the pure astounding evil pursuing them. My kudos

to the author.

If you are looking for a nice quiet read, it is not this book. The

chase is on almost from the beginning. The out-of-control car, the

back alleys of an abandoned amusement park and the race to stay alive. Lots of

bombshell revelations and a conclusion you won't see coming. This is a daring

novel. Do not miss it.

THIS IS NOT THE END by Chandler Baker Who would you resurrect given the ability to do so? Seventeen year old Lake Devereaux must make that choice. When she turns eighteen, she will be allowed to bring back one former life. She has promised her family, it will be her paralyzed brother. That was until the day Lake, Will, her boyfriend, and Penny, her best friend are in a car accident and now Will and Penny are dead. Lake's life is crumbling. Her family is planning a suicide for her brother, Will and Penny were hiding something from her, and she is questioning everything about her own existence. Fortunately, with the support of an unexpected friend, she might be able to straighten out the shambles her life has become. This is a provocative read. I admired Lake's strength and ability to deal with all the pressures she had weighing on her. It was affecting to watch her grow and become a stronger person. Who did she bring back to life? Really?

SHIMMER AND BURN by Mary Taranta It is harsh surviving in the slums of Brindaigel. The possession most coveted is magic. When Faris, Thaelan, her love, and Cadence, her younger sister plan to escape, something goes horribly wrong. Thaelan is butchered, and Cadence will be sold off to the highest bidder unless Faris can find the money to free her. Princess Bryn, who is seventh in line to be ruler, wishes to steal her father's throne. In exchange for the money Faris needs, she agrees to transport stolen magic into Avinea to entice its prince to ally with Bryn. Therefore, she is bound to the ambitious covetous princess. What follows is an adventurous, dangerous and sometimes tragic tale. While I did enjoy this story and look forward to its continuation, there were times when it frustrated me. Faris is in an unimaginable predicament which just seems to worsen. Anyone familiar with the phrase “like a cat plays with a mouse”? No satisfaction at the end of this one.

THERE’S SOMEONE INSIDE YOUR HOUSE by Stephanie Perkins

LITTLE & LION by Brandy Colbert It is harsh surviving in the slums of Brindaigel. The possession most coveted is

magic. When Faris, Thaelan, her love, and Cadence, her younger sister plan to

escape, something goes horribly wrong. Thaelan is butchered, and Cadence will

be sold off to the highest bidder unless Faris can find the money to free her.

Princess Bryn, who is seventh in line to be ruler, wishes to steal her father's

throne. In exchange for the money Faris needs, she agrees to transport stolen

magic into Avinea to entice its prince to ally with Bryn. Therefore, she is bound

to the ambitious covetous princess.

What follows is an adventurous, dangerous and sometimes tragic tale. While I

did enjoy this story and look forward to its continuation, there were times

when it frustrated me. Faris is in an unimaginable predicament which just

seems to worsen. Anyone familiar with the phrase “like a cat plays with a

mouse”? No satisfaction at the end of this one.

There is a brutal serial killer in Osborne, Nebraska who is targeting high school kids. This butcher enjoys playing mind games with his potential victims making them question their own movements and causing serious doubts about others. Makani Young was sent from Hawaii to live with her grandmother, and she is trying to come to terms with a series of horrible circumstances in her past. Will her friends support her, especially Ollie, the boy with the pink hair, who has captured her heart? Once they find out what she is capable of, how can they? In the meantime, there is a bigger problem because now Makani has captured the focus of the relentless killer. This is a fast read, and there are several interesting plots. Makani is a formida-ble person with flaws but basically good at heart. I truly like her and the people in her life. The killer is most certainly deranged and merciless. Midway through the murderer is identified. Instead of taking away from the story with this early revelation, it actually enhances it. If you enjoy self-discovery in the midst of creepiness, this is a good one for you.

LOVE IS BOTH WAVE AND PARTICLE by Paul Cody Who gets you? Are you “seen” by your family and friends? Beautiful, wealthy, and intelligent sixteen year old Samantha Vash is attempting to forfeit her most precious gift – life! Her depression has left her no hope so she slashes her wrist. Levon Grady is handsome, highly intelligent and mostly keeps to himself. He is of few words and does not like to touch or be touched. His mother and others believe he is somewhere on the broad spectrum of Asperger's. Meg is a guidance counselor at the Clock School for unique students. She has asked Sam and Levon to work on a parallel project writing their own autobiographies and then sharing, and they agree. The results of this commitment will forever change their lives. Sam and Levon are the most lovable characters. They have definitely left an impact on me. Sam discovers that she has a voice, and people are willing to listen. All she has to do is ask for help to receive the support she needs. Watching her step out of her comfort zone, her struggles with her self worth, and her consideration for others was inspiring. While watching Levon come out of his shell to face haunting questions, I could only admire his courage. Because I wanted to know Sam and Levon better, I really liked that this tale was not only told by them but included the points of view of the family and friends in their lives. If you often think about stepping outside of your comfort zone, seeing how it can be done and then reaping the benefits, this story hits the nail.

A MAP FOR WRECKED GIRLS by Jessica Taylor If you are shipwrecked, you might find yourself on an island. And if you betray or are betrayed by a dearly loved sister, you might find yourself in a state of wreckage. Such is the vicious circle sisters, Henri and Emma, are in. A lovely boat ride on a sunny afternoon ends in disaster, death and three passengers marooned, location unknown. With the sisters is a young apprehensive man named Alex. These three will have to not only coexist, but band together to devise a plan to depart this land of no food and water, no shelter and the beast lurking out there. I enjoyed this action packed tale despite dragging just a little in the middle for me. The nastiness between the sisters is harsh at times, but their resilience is startling. Despite dehydration and infection, can they survive? Will they ever be found? So many questions can only be answered by reading the book.

THE DAZZLING HEIGHTS by Katharine McGee

The two gargantuan towers of The Mirrors rises high into the blackness to pristine brilliant heights. And below, Leda, tormented by her past actions, is dealing with the nightmares that have become a continuing part of her life. Watt just wants to begin anew, but will Leda allow him? Avery and Atlas continue to love each other, but is their forbidden love enough? Welcome Calliope to the group. She is beautiful, intelligent, wants Atlas, and is so much more than what she appears. This book which is the second in a series is equally as good as its first. The reader becomes once again enmeshed in the world of the rich and beautiful. It is a sphere of luxury and extravagance. It is also one of vengeance, vitriol, and revulsion. Secrets abound, lives are shattered and payback can devastate. No one is left intact. Remember the bigger they are, the harder they fall! Are you ready to climb the heights?

You get the call and are going to die today. How will you spend your remaining hours? One fine September, shortly after midnight, Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emerterio both get the call from Death-Cast. Today will be their final twenty-four hours. Mateo and Rufus are unknown to each other until they each consult an app called Last Friend which will bring them together to experi-ence a lifetime crammed into a day. I found Rufus and Mateo's story riveting. It was heartfelt and heartbreaking. They became real to me, and I could only admire their bravery and courage to fully enjoy life until the end. I watched as they stepped outside their comfort zones, and in being bold, found true friendship, happiness and love. This is a must read, do not miss, lovely story of two unselfish young men who left a mark on the world and my heart.

THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END by Adam Silvera

WICKEN LIKE A WILDFIRE by Lana Popovic

GENUINE FRAUD by E. Lockhart

Can a person be as black-hearted as her worst actions? Sometimes you have to erase the past and create a new improved life for yourself. Julietta (Jule) West Williams has done this multiple times as needed. She is self-taught, non-emotional and a complete master of her fate. She is also quite deadly. This story is at times shocking, but never dull. In Jule's mind, she is a hero, but to those around her, she is entirely something else. It was fascinating watching her absorbing the traits, personality and appearance of totally different friends or strangers and actually become them. A cleverly well-written tale, events move at a quick pace. It unravels by revers-ing the order in which it is told. Because of this approach, there are quite a few “aha” moments as the pieces fall into place. Welcome to the secrets of Jule's rags to riches life, if you have the stomach for it.

Twins are unique. They have an affinity in the womb. Tangled at birth, Iris and Malina, are not identical in appearance, but share a family trait – the gleam. Having the gleam allows one a particular ability to control beauty at the hand of magic. Jasmina, their mother, wants no attention drawn to them. She has tried to provide the girls as normal a life as possible while still keeping them safe. All that is about to horribly change when a visitor arrives. To save their mother, Iris and Malina, will first need to uncover all the secrets of the family and discover the depths of their own potential. This was an enchanting story. Watching Iris and Malina apply their magic is huge in scope and breathtaking. I loved their deep devotion and sacrifice to each other. I found the ending somewhat bittersweet, but am thankful there will be a second book. Think on this. Could you be brave enough to expose a family lie if doing so could annihilate that ancestry?

THE GRAVE KEEPERS by Elizabeth Byrne

The dark woods and dangerous magic combined make these delectable short

tales best read with the lights on. These sheets of terror are bursting with

deception, unspeakable offerings, retaliations and the consequences of wicked

love.

As I journeyed with the occupants of these pages, I could almost

feel the thorns reaching towards me stretching their twisting

tendrils to ensnare me.

We all have lessons to be learned and can relate to the characters

in these stories especially the emotions they go through. If you

want to escape the world you live in for awhile, come to the mystical forest for

a glimpse of life or death in another realm.

The Windhams own a cemetery in upstate New York. Besides her parents, Athena who is sixteen has a brother Simon and a sister Laurel. There was another sister, Lucy, who died in a terrible accident. For that reason, the girls have been kept sheltered and close to home. Also sharing the house and cemetery is a ghost which the family believes to be their Lucy. This is by no means a scary story. It deals with Athena and Laurel growing up. Not only showing their anxieties and struggles but how they emerge towards maturity by being responsible and honest to themselves as well as others. I found the concept of grave keepers and celebrating one's receiving their “key” and spending time in their grave overwhelmingly off-beat. If you enjoy “different” then this one is definitely for you. I might add that early on the reader knows the ghost is not Lucy. While there is quite a bit of ghostly chaos to enjoy in these pages, the love for this family especially the girls is evident. If you like walking through cemeteries in the dark of night and/or strange occurrences, add this one to your list.

THE LANGUAGE OF THORNS by Leigh Bardugo

THE AFTERLIFE OF HOLLY CHASE by Cynthia Hand

Isobel's craft is painting the portraits of the fair folk (fairies) in exchange for precious enchantments. The fair folk may be immortal, but they desire human craft which they are unable to do unless they wish to disintegrate into ashes. Rook, the charming Autumn Prince is stunned and furious when he

sees Isobel's finished likeness of him. She has captured the sorrow

he carries in his eyes. Weakness is unacceptable in the Fairy

Kingdom, and he could lose everything he has even his life as a

result. For this offense, Rook kidnaps Isobel and intends that she stand trial in

his domain.

Their journey is completely engrossing, and I found this a most

delectable read. There is dazzling magic and unforgettable fantasy. Strange

creatures lurk, and there are some incredibly wicked not-to-be trusted fairies

doing dark and disturbing deeds! However, the true champions of this tale are

the astonishing ravens!

One more thing, never ever tell your true name to a fairy. You

will face unimaginable consequences!

God bless us, every one! Recognize this sentence? If not, get your hands on a copy of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. Holly Chase died five years ago. She had been visited by three spirits who warned her to change her ways. She was a mean, selfish, and uncaring seventeen year old. She refused, then she died. Now she is the Ghost of Christmas Past for a secret company, Project Scrooge, attempting to save this year's selected ill-mannered grouch. This is a modern version of Scrooge's tale. Holly is quite unlikable at times, but by the end of the journey, I grew to love her. All the characters from “A Christmas Carol” are here in various forms, and they are enchanting. There are numerous twists and turns and surprises added to a story that is ageless and a classic. Get the hot chocolate, a cozy place to read and settle in for a most entertaining and enjoyable crossing into this quirky world.

AN ENCHANTMENT OF RAVENS By Margaret Rogerson