Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Siege and Storm 

by Leigh Bardugo 

 

Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

 

(summary from goodreads.com)

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Sigh. A typical second book. I would have liked to see Alina stronger and more confident at this point, Mal drove me crazy beyond belief, but I loved the introduction of Sturmhond. Fabulous character. This book was darker and had less lighter moments to temper it, so it felt pretty grim, and the ending was shattering and horrible in many ways. The romance was frustrating because of it's typical Second Book Syndrome cliches but still wrung me out and broke my heart (at one point I was close to tears at a wrestling match. Awkward.) Very well written, I hope for light and a wee bit more happiness in the next (and maybe last?) book.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: heavy; Profanity: none; Sex: moderate

 

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone

by Leigh Bardugo  

 

The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfill her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance.

 

(summary from goodreads.com)

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A great first book - hugely imaginative, loved the characters, loved the conflicted heroine. The use of the term "Darkling" threw me off a bit, since the last book I read also used that word in a completely different way. I survived the confusion. Very fast paced but not too rushed, very dark with a few precious light moments. It will be interesting to see where this one goes.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: heavy; Profanity: none; Sex: moderate

 

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

Rose Under Fire 

by Elizabeth Wein 

 

While flying an Allied fighter plane from Paris to England, American ATA pilot and amateur poet, Rose Justice, is captured by the Nazis and sent to Ravensbrück, the notorious women's concentration camp. Trapped in horrific circumstances, Rose finds hope in the impossible through the loyalty, bravery and friendship of her fellow prisoners. But will that be enough to endure the fate that’s in store for her?

Elizabeth Wein, author of the critically-acclaimed and best-selling Code Name Verity, delivers another stunning WWII thriller. The unforgettable story of Rose Justice is forged from heart-wrenching courage, resolve, and the slim, bright chance of survival.

 

 

(summary from goodreads.com)

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Even better than the first one! Gripping from beginning to end, poignant and heart wrenching, another fabulous look on women in WWII and the best concentration camp book I have ever read. Short review, amazingly excellent book, just read it.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: yes; Profanity: yes; Sex: minor

Blythewood by Carol Goodman

Blythewood

by Carol Goodman 

 

Welcome to Blythewood.

At seventeen, Avaline Hall has already buried her mother, survived a horrific factory fire, and escaped from an insane asylum. Now she’s on her way to Blythewood Academy, the elite boarding school in New York’s mist-shrouded Hudson Valley that her mother attended—and was expelled from. Though she’s afraid her high society classmates won’t accept a factory girl in their midst, Ava is desperate to unravel her family’s murky past, discover the identity of the father she’s never known, and perhaps finally understand her mother’s abrupt suicide. She’s also on the hunt for the identity of the mysterious boy who rescued her from the fire. And she suspects the answers she seeks lie at Blythewood.   

But nothing could have prepared her for the dark secret of what Blythewood is, and what its students are being trained to do. Haunted by dreams of a winged boy and pursued by visions of a sinister man who breathes smoke, Ava isn’t sure if she’s losing her mind or getting closer to the truth. And the more rigorously Ava digs into the past, the more dangerous her present becomes.   

Vivid and atmospheric, full of mystery and magic, this romantic page-turner by bestselling author Carol Goodman tells the story of a world on the brink of change and the girl who is the catalyst for it all.

 

(summary from goodreads.com)

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A fun fantasy book - fairies and angels and schoolgirls oh my. I liked the characters, the twists, the mythology behind the whole thing. The ending felt a little rushed, especially compared to the slow pace of the rest of the book, but it continued to hold my interest throughout. I'll definitely read the next one.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: moderate; Profanity: none; Sex: talk of lovers but very mild "on screen"

 

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

Scarlet

by A.C. Gaughen  

 

Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

 

(summary from goodreads.com)

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I didn't know what to expect from this book, except it had been on a few lists by trusted book lovers. Come to find out it's a Robin Hood book! Hooray! I love Robin Hood books almost as much as Cinderella books. This book has some fabulous gender bending, a fabulously expected yet still enjoyable twist, and lovely chemistry. The language was a little annoying - I don't mind reading accents or slang when people speak to each other, but when it's in a book-long narrative it gets a little old. But otherwise it was a great ride, sad and tragic and woebegone at times, but still a great tale. I look forward to the next one.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: moderate; Profanity: moderate; Sex: moderate

 

Once by Cameron Dokey

Once: Before Midnight; Golden; Wild Orchid 

by Cameron Dokey

 

Read "happily ever after" with this magical repackage that includes three enchanting, retold fairy tales.

In this value-priced bind-up of three beloved retellings, readers will journey to faraway fairy tale lands. Before Midnight revisits Cinderella's story in France, Golden puts a new spin on Rapunzel's romance, and Wild Orchid reimagines the Chinese tale of Mulan. With so much real-life drama in today's busy world, Once allows readers to escape into whimsical realms where every story has a happily ever after.

 

 

(summary from goodreads.com)

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This book is a collection of three of Dokey's fairy tales. I was pretty sure I had read a few of her books, but only one of these seemed familiar. And they are adorable! Fun and fresh takes on fairy tales, imaginative uses of cliches, unexpected twists. Plenty of instalove, of course, these ARE fairy tales. Before Midnight was my very favorite, I forgot how much I adored Cinderella retellings (Ever After! Ella Enchanted! Swoon!). I loved how the typical best-friend-boy-next-door was flipped on its head. Golden was also fun, who knew a bald Rapunzel could work. And Wild Orchid was a great retelling of Mulan, I loved how the father-daughter relationship actually improved. Sweet stories.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: mild; Profanity: none; Sex: none

The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

The Fiery Heart

by Richelle Mead  

 

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives.

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure — and re-education — looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this smoldering fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

 

(summary from goodreads.com)

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I have been enjoying Adrian and Sydney way more than I enjoyed the other crew from the first series. Still fun books, but I like these better. Maybe because the main characters are more adult like? Maybe because the movie of the first series makes it look WAY too teeny boppery? Or maybe I just like a tad less vampires and tad more main characters who are human. Regardless, fun series, fabulous chemistry, fantastically flawed yet delightful hero, and horribly dramatic ending. A great continuation of the story, now please write the next one quickly. (And is it only me who thinks the woman on the front cover looks like Billie Piper? I can't look at it without thinking of my favorite Doctor's Rose.)

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: moderate; Profanity: ??; Sex: yes