Review: The Fever King

The Fever King
by Victoria Lee

Publisher: Skyscape
Publication Date: March 1, 2019

Waking up alone in a hospital bed in Carolina, a country in what was once the United States, sixteen-year-old Noam Álvaro is now a technopath thanks to the deadly viral magic that killed his family. This attracts the Minister of Defense, who invites Noam to serve his country by training to become an elite magical soldier. But as the son of undocumented immigrants in a country whose Prime Minister promotes nothing but oppression of immigrants, the last thing Noam wants to do is help the government. So when Noam accepts the minister’s offer to teach him the science behind his magic, he secretly plans to use it against the government. But when he meets the minister’s ward, Noam becomes less certain that what he’s doing is right. Stuck between his longing for change and wish for love, Noam must decide if trust is a thing he can give out liberally, or if the more he lends his heart out, the faster his world might come crashing down around him.

Written with so much emotion and power, THE FEVER KING is packed with amazing prose and beautiful storytelling. One aspect that captivated me from the start was the book’s ‘dark characters.’ Nowadays, it is common for publishers to claim that certain books contain ‘dark’ characters/themes. Often when books are marketed as ‘dark,’ they don’t quite deliver, leaving readers disappointed. This is not the case with THE FEVER KING. From page one, it is clear that the author is well-practiced in writing emotion, as a prominent sense of sorrow can be felt as Noam navigates the book’s mysteries. And even when something ‘light’ occurs, the sense that something can still go wrong is prevalent. One of the ways that the author achieves this is through the articles included at the ends of some chapters. The true definition of dark and clinical, these articles chronicle the trauma of one of the characters while helping to promote the overall feel of the book, establishing its dark history. Horrid descriptions of terrifying experiments and twisted recorded conversations are featured through these articles, making the reader wonder just how destructive and horrifying this world is.

The articles would mean nothing without the setting. In a post-war Carolina, the world is in shambles. While there are some ‘good’ parts to some of the cities, most of the people live in disease-ridden ruin and struggle to survive because of the poor treatment they receive. The majority of these people are citizens of the country lining Carolina’s border—Atlantia. Fleeing their home to pursue a better life in Carolina, they’re given few if any rights, treated horribly, and left to die from the viral magic. Being Atlantian is a big part of Noam’s identity, as he’s been fighting for Atlantian rights for as long as he’s been alive. I found it interesting how Lee wove immigration into her book in a way such as this. Readers will appreciate how she didn’t just mention it once and let it be, but fully ingrained it throughout the book, showcasing the horrid and disgusting lengths to which some leaders might go to prove a point or please the wealthy.

This was seen in the character of Noam and how he dealt with various events. As I mentioned before, Noam was raised in fear of the Carolinian government because of what they do to his people. But he is also proactive in his fight against them, doing all he possibly can to help. And though now living in the government’s building, his pain and motivation doesn’t lessen. Noam is a character who would appeal to many in this sense because of the sheer motivation and anger that pushes him to act. I loved how he embodied all those who are marginalized and pushed down. Lee continues in this spirit with her side characters as she gives them each their own characteristics and personalities. With them, Lee took some themes from the main cast and carried them over to the rest of the characters. I loved how she didn’t just write them for the sake of writing them, but wrote them to be a part of the story. 

Another, much needed, aspect of this book was the Jewish and LGBTQ representation it had. Though LGBTQ+ and Jewish characters/themes used to only be popular in contemporary novels, they are slowly starting to make their way into fantasy, which readers will enjoy thoroughly in THE FEVER KING. 

One important world-building aspect to mention in THE FEVER KING was its magic system. Unlike anything else I’ve ever read, I was completely obsessed with how the viral magic was something people feared, not sought. With most books that I’ve read, having magic is something that is wanted and held on a high pedestal. But in THE FEVER KING, it was something to run from. I thought that this added yet another dimension to the darkness of the book, but also increased the urgency of which Noam must save his people. Never have I thought that a book’s magic system would serve as almost an antagonist, which was something I enjoyed greatly in this book.

If you are looking for a fresh twist in YA, THE FEVER KING will serve as that perfect speculative fiction sci-fi/fantasy book that you’ve been looking for. Recommended for ages 14+ because of mild language and adult themes.

Review: Four Dead Queens

Four Dead Queens
by Astrid Scholte

Publisher: Putnam Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: February 26, 2019

The breathtaking standalone debut of Astrid Scholte, FOUR DEAD QUEENS, tells the story of Keralie Corrington, a thief (called a dipper), for Mackiel, an influential businessman who deals in all things black market. Tasked with stealing anything not found in their quadrant, Keralie flourishes in the job that was seemingly meant for her. But when Keralie intercepts a comm disk from another quadrant, things don’t go as perfectly as she hopes as she watches the deaths of Quadra’s four queens. Hoping to find the culprit as a way of leveraging the palace, she teams up with Varin, the messenger she stole from, to track them down. But with time against them, and Keralie’s old boss following their every move, victory may be harder than they thought.

Only one word could describe how I felt about this book: wow. I was completely blown away with the sheer beauty of this world Scholte has created. Told in immaculate detail, not one aspect of this story was left underdeveloped or without resolve, with everything wrapping up nicely. This is especially notable because FOUR DEAD QUEENS is a standalone (unfortunately), something we rarely see in fantasy. Not that FOUR DEAD QUEENS is exclusively fantasy, as it includes a murder-mystery spin filled with the air of a thriller and the technology of a sci-fi, making it truly genre-bending. But this is far from the only reason why FOUR DEAD QUEENS is a book that demands to be read. 

I was immediately sucked into Keralie’s story from page one as she hid in a corner conspiring with Mackiel. As her story continued, that level of engagement never ceased. I was truly experiencing the golden domes and dark corners of Quarda with Keralie. Whenever I had to put this book down, I instantly felt myself longing to pick it back up, its allure constant and undying. Everything seemed to be alive in Scholte’s world, with not a single thing coming off as flat or half-baked. 

But of course, no description would be good without the world it was based on. Scholte made sure to deliver this with ease. The world of Quadra was complete and filled to the brim with so much detail that it felt real. I loved how much effort the author put into making each of Quadra’s four quadrants, laws, and technology so real. Like wondering which Hogwarts house people belong too, readers will wonder which Quadrant they would hope to call their home. Some will fall in love with Toria, the trade quadrant filled with curiosity and exploration, or Archia, the agricultural quadrant that emphasizes simplicity and nature. Others will wish to be in Ludia amongst all the passion and entertainment their quadrant has to offer, or Eonia where futuristic technologies are integrated into every part of their stoic and harmonious lives. Either way, once someone is born into a quadrant, they have little opportunity to leave again. This is just one of the laws that dictate the way the queens must rule Quadra, separate but together. These are laws that rule almost as much as the queens do, strict but for the good of the people. Readers will be happy to know that these laws are not just one-off tidbits to help embellish the plot a bit, but important to the progression of the story and fully integrated. I never thought that I would find myself caring so much about a book’s law system until I read FOUR DEAD QUEENS. Combined with the absolutely amazing technology, readers will wonder just how many twists Scholte has planned. 

To navigate these twists, Scholte created a cast of utterly unique characters to run free. Her main character, Keralie, is a girl of bravery yet anxiousness, both trying to do her best to please those in her life, but also unsure if she even can. She is the type of girl who appears tough and faultless, but later reveals that she is full of depth and care. The reader would never expect to fall for her in the span of just one book, but they do without a second’s doubt. There was so much about Keralie that I loved. From her sass, to her badass-ness, to the fact that her backstory is not at all what you would typically find in a fantasy. Everything about her was amazing. And it wasn’t just her who was well thought out, with all the other characters receiving the same type of care. Readers will fall in love with Varin, with his slow-to-warm-up cuddliness and pure-of-heart attitude and Mackiel, who knows what he wants and goes for it. Each of these supporting characters have fears and drives and backstories as well-thought out as Keralie's. These were characters with many sides to them.

And of course, with all these aspects going for it, the plot was nothing less than hypnotizing. It was both fast-paced and filled with enough detail that you won’t get whiplash. Bursting with political intrigue, romance, and a murder mystery twist, it is not a book that will let readers down. Most of all, it contained something that every reader can enjoy. From good old-fashioned thievery and sneaking through a grand palace, to technological contraptions and badass fight scenes, to the intricate mystery that readers will struggle to piece together with Keralie and Varin, there isn’t a single thing that will bore a reader.

I would recommend this book to fans of SIX OF CROWS who were enamored with its trickery and setting, and also fans of WARCROSS, as its plot wouldn’t be the same without the awe-inspiring technology. Of course, it is very hard to describe this book in relation to others, as it contains so many different aspects, but readers of classic mystery authors such as Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle will also enjoy this book. FOUR DEAD QUEENS is a genre-bending debut that readers will be unable to put down as they sail through it like they are watching a movie.

Review: The Disasters

The Disasters
by M. K. England

Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: December 18, 2018

THE DISASTERS by M.K. England is most definitely described perfectly by its summary; “The Breakfast Club meets Guardians of the Galaxy.”Jam packed with enough action and awkwardness to put a high school to shame, THE DISASTERS is a fast-paced science fiction adventure that follows the story of four Ellis Space Station Academy “rejects,” Nax, Zee, Rion and Case. Many years in the future, Earth has colonized countless planets within and without its solar system, and getting into Ellis Academy is a one-way ticket to reaching them all. However, when the Academy is suddenly taken over by mysterious terrorists and wiped of all life, Nax and his fellow misfits are lucky enough to escape. But are they lucky enough to outrun the countless dangers coming their way?

With its hilariously engaging characters and well-written plot, THE DISASTERS is definitely worth the read; England does a fantastic job keeping the anticipation going, and I especially like how the characters are written and how they interact with each other. Each character is different in their own way, ranging from polished diplomat, to hotshot pilot, to witty genius. Rion, Nax, Case, and Zee get along in ways that just feel so human; their healthy and supportive friendship deserves appreciation.

All in all, if you are looking for an exciting winter read to enjoy by a hot fireplace, M.K. England’s THE DISASTERS would go perfectly with fuzzy socks and some hot cocoa!

Review: The Smoke Thieves

The Smoke Thieves
by Sally Green

Publisher: Viking
Publication Date: May 1, 2018

What do a princess, soldier, demon hunter, thief, and servant all have in common? They all live in a world where four nations, soaked in the barest bit of magic, are at the brink of war. In Brigant, Princess Catherine prepares for a marriage arranged by her scheming father. In Calidor, March seeks revenge on the prince he serves for betraying his people. In Pitoria, Edyon steals for the fun of it, as he travels from town to town. And in the far north, Tash runs for her life as bait for the demon hunter Gravell. But as alliances shift and old feuds are dug up, each of their lives will be affected as they eventually come together because of a single jar of the illustrious drug, demon smoke.  

Though this book started out slow, it certainly did not stay like that for long! In fact, this was the book that brought me out of my reading slump! As the story progressed, I could feel myself fall quickly in love with the plot of each chapter. The author did this by writing tons of mini high stakes situations that make the reader unable to put the book down from chapter to chapter. Another thing Green did with the plot that really interested me personally, was how she hinted about connecting all of the point of views at some point of the book. Because of this, I was constantly searching for what could be hints of connection. This sort of active reading made me super absorbed into the plot because I really felt like I was there with the characters, trying to figure out the political plots and twists with them.

Another aspect of the book that I really enjoyed was the characters. Each had a very distinct “role” but the book made sure to stay away from falling into the stereotypes that came with them. One thing that I found to be very interesting was how the author had a character that felt very similar to a character in her previous book. I enjoyed how she added this in because I loved that character, but at the same time I thought it was interesting how she made sure the character was still unique in his own right.

If you love books full of amazing world building and a bit of magic, this book is for you! You will not be bored with all the amazing subplots and excellent writing. 

Review: Ace of Shades

Ace of Shades
by Amanda Foody

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: April 10, 2018

Arriving in the city of New Reynes, the so-called city of sin, prim and proper Enne Salta only cares for one thing: finding her missing mother before it’s too late. Alone and unprepared for the city’s dark corners, she searches for the only clue given to her, the name of Levi Glaisyer. But Levi is as far from a gentleman as you can get as he is a notorious street lord and con man. But being only one payment away from the end of an unraveling scam, he agrees to help Enne in the promise of a payout of his dreams. Yet the search for Enne’s mother is not how she expected, bringing her through the darkest depths of the city of sin. And as traps snare around them and secrets are unveiled, it becomes clear that neither of them will be able to make it out without losing something, or someone, dear to them. With lives as the prize and souls the betting tokens, the game of death is one that they must play until the end.

From the very first words, I was addicted to this book. Written in a descriptive style that seems to bring the words off of the page, I was in love with every word. Foody has a way of writing each and every detail in such a way that the words seem to come alive. Every detail in the book seemed purposely placed, every word adding to the meaning, and every gesture one of hidden meanings. In a book such of this with a smoky city of mystery and suspense, this only made me question what I thought would happen next. This type of writing goes greatly with another aspect of ACE OF SHADES, the world building.

Even within the first few pages of this book, I can already tell that the author is a queen of building new worlds. When I first read through her opening scene of Enne entering through the city and being asked about her family, I was confused. But then the author quickly explained the reason for it: each family has a particular inherited talent and while it is sometimes something like dance (like the main character) or math, it could also be something like fire or electricity, it could be magic. When I first discovered this I literally mumbled to myself ‘oh my god she’s doing this’. It’s safe to say that I was incredible impressed with this. I know that this is something often done in fantasy books and an element like this should not be something so unexpected for me; but I still found it so incredibly unique that it almost felt like the perfect fantasy element for me, if authors could create things for specific readers. Besides this, the author created this great universe with an amazing backdrop and history that went well with the setting. Foody clearly knows how to outline a story.

The next aspect of the book that I really liked was the character development. So many books nowadays have books with plain beginning to end character arcs where minimal character development is achieved. But in ACE OF SHADES, Foody clearly put in time and effort to make each character perfect. One example of this is Enne, who started out as a prim and proper young lady who I just could not stop despising. It wasn’t just who she was that bugged me, but her personality. But throughout the book, I actually began to like her and I felt like she truly was a main character that I can enjoy. While her personality did not change so much that she felt like a different person, it did change enough that it was clear that she grew with the story. Another character who did this was Levi whose entire moral standard changed through the book. This type of character growth is hard to come by in books and even though it is often attempted, it frequently comes off half-baked. 

Another thing that I enjoyed about the characters was that Foody made sure to stay away from the stereotypes that they could easily be associated with. Levi was not your typical street lord baddy whose only thirst is for guts and gold. Enne is not your typical graceful dancer who seeks grace and cleanliness over survival. Foody paid special attention to her characters to make sure that they don’t become their stereotypes and instead stay as their own personalities. And just because Foody spent so much effort on her main characters, does not mean that she spent any less on her side ones. I truly cannot imagine better written side characters. She clearly did not waste any effort with them as each grew into their own spots in the book and left it feeling like the book would be incomplete without them. Each of them were well written and incredibly entertaining leaving me to laugh, smile, and cry beside them.

Lastly, I really enjoyed the plot. With hidden agendas and unexpected betrayal at every turn, Foody keeps the reader constantly entertained throughout the book. I was so entertained that I even stayed up all night to finish it. The author also made sure not to only have one main plot as she created numerous subplots that all intertwined at some point. Reading ACE OF SHADES felt like I was in a giant maze and with each page, I got closer to the middle. Though one aspect of the book was a bit obvious, it was still minor and so much of the book still shocked me with each chapter.

I would recommend this book for fans of SIX OF CROWS because ACE OF SHADES has a familiar atmosphere to it. This book is best suited for readers thirteen and up. If you a seeking a book that will grip you tight and won’t let you go until the last page, this one is for you. 

Review: The Diminished

The Diminished
by Kaitlyn Sage Patterson

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: April 10, 2018

After the Gods destroyed the Earth and split the moon, everyone is born with a twin, save a few every generation. Those who are unfortunate enough to have their twin die become Diminished, doomed to have their grief overtake them in a violent rage. The few who are Singleborn are destined to rise to the Throne and rule Alskad. Vi, a diminished, is just trying to survive unnoticed, despite the fact that she has been without her twin since birth and has never succumbed to her grief. Bo is Singleborn, heir to the throne of Alskad. 

I really liked THE DIMINISHED. It is interesting to see how the mythology of the world has shaped, and it seems intentionally unclear whether the myths are true (like in Percy Jackson), or if they are just religious beliefs that almost everyone believes. While a good story, the plot twist was extremely predictable, but this does not make the book unenjoyable. The created world is rich with mythology, lore, and conspiracy, both politically and religiously!

Review: Rosemarked

Rosemarked
by Livia Blackburne

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: November 7, 2017

In the magic-less world of ROSEMARKED, healer Zivah falls prey to the deadly Rose plague, leaving her with only years to live and isolating her from society. At the same time, soldier Dineas finally escapes from the clutches of the Amparan Empire with a renewed passion to free his tribe from its rule before it is too late. Thrust together with nothing left to lose, Zivah and Dineas must complete a deadly mission to spy on the capital so they can fulfill their wishes and save their loved ones from dying at the hands of an enemy kingdom filled with secrets and risk.

This book had so many amazing aspects, for one: the research. If you want to read a book that an author clearly put a lot of effort into, this book is definitely for you. I loved how Blackburne found a way to put descriptive detail into everything without making it seem like too much. From the descriptions of various tribes to herbal remedies and military campaigns, when I was reading this book I didn’t feel like I was reading, but living. So many books these days have half-baked ideas and cheap attempts at descriptions and Blackburne definitely blew those books all out of the water with the amount of research that she put into this. Which leads me to the next fabulous thing about this book: the plot.

Wow, was this a story to remember. Based in a world much like the medieval era and filled with walled cities and suffering villages, it was both a refreshing fictional world and clear of any sort of magic. I really enjoyed this because so many books written in this sort of setting include magic. While ROSEMARKED doesn’t have a hint of magic, it is still immersive and captivating, leaving me glued to each word. This uniqueness was clear throughout the plot as characters steered clear of common romance tropes, leaving room for character development. This makes it so every move that they make is a surprise. I loved the plot for this very reason. So many books are set with clear and straight-forward story lines while this one was able to navigate its world of disease and corrupt military in a new way. When I first began to read this book, I was sure of what way the story would take me...and boy was I wrong.

I would recommend this book for fans of THE QUEEN'S THIEF series because of the similarity to its world. Fantasy lovers will also love this book because of its well written and immersive storytelling and world building. If you are looking for characters that grow off of typical YA tropes and defy your expectations with every word, you will not be let down. I think that it is safe to say that I am more than excited for the next book in this series.

Review: Zenith

Zenith
by Sasha Alsberg & Lindsay Cummings

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: January 16, 2018

Androma Racella, also known as the Bloody Baroness, is one of the most feared mercenaries in the Mirabel Galaxy. But when a routine mission goes awry, she and her ship’s all-girl crew are put to the test. Paired with a ruthless bounty hunter from Andi's past, they must complete a dangerous mission or face being locked up for good. Yet as they embark on this journey, across the galaxy toils the queen of Xen Ptera who will stop at nothing to exact revenge to those who have destroyed her people.

This book can easily be one of my favorites of 2018, and the year has barely begun. So many aspects of this story influenced my decision, so I would first like to begin with the characters. While you begin the book feeling like several characters are just straightforward and one dimensional, there is so much growth and character development all through the book. Andi is not your typical statistical badass, Dex is not your typical bounty hunter, the queen seeking revenge does not do so without an understandable cause, and the loyal pilot Lira doesn’t just follow orders. I loved that the authors took these characters and made them into something new. Not only did this enhance the story, but it made reading it so much more fun because you never knew when someone will do something or something will happen!

Another thing that I really enjoyed about this book was the plot. Starting out like SIX OF CROWS, but in space, it changed from what I thought would be a copy of another tale into something much better. The authors purposely hid origin stories and dispersed them throughout the book, giving them to us bit by bit as we learn more about our characters. And during several parts of this book, I constantly found my mind wandering towards where I though the plot would go or towards what I thought would happen. Yet almost every time this happened, I was proven wrong. I loved this aspect of ZENITH, because the authors were always giving you the unexpected plot twists.

Lastly, the universe that ZENITH was set in was also amazing. Filled with galaxies and  alien worlds and beautiful technology: the authors succeeded so well in their world building. I loved how everything felt so complete as the authors made sure that every fact was backed up with more content as they created religions and other characteristics for each of the peoples discussed. They stayed away from our regular images of beauty as each race has different skin tones, attributes, and quirks, creating a truly diverse world. For example, Andi is riddled with barely-hidden metal implants across her body, something that so many would find ugly; yet in ZENITH she is called beautiful.

Overall, I would recommend this book to sci-fi and fantasy lovers alike as this book includes everything from magic to high-speed space travel. Fans of books like SIX OF CROWS and NEVERNIGHT will enjoy this book.

Review: The Last Namsara

The Last Namsara
by Kristen Ciccarelli


Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: October 3, 2017

THE LAST NAMSARA follows the story of Asha, a dragon slaying princess, disliked by her own people because of the crime she committed as a child that almost destroyed the kingdom. To make up for her mistake, she must kill dragons to protect her people. To top it all off, in order to unite the broken kingdom, she’s being forced to marry a man she hates: Jarek, the cruel commandant. However, the king gives her a choice: she can either marry Jarek or slay the most powerful dragon to gain her freedom. 

Ciccarelli nails it with this fantasy novel. It’s got the perfect amount of our favorite fantasy clichés (sword wielding princesses and fire breathing dragons) but mixes things up with an uncommon romance between a princess and her betrothed's slave. Complex characters, forbidden love, a compelling plot and beautiful writing make THE LAST NAMSARA the perfect fall fantasy read for fans of ERAGON and THRONE OF GLASS. 

Review: City of Saints and Thieves

City of Saints and Thieves
by Natalie C. Anderson

Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons
Publication Date: January 24, 2017

CITY OF SAINTS AND THIEVES is the action-packed story of Tiny, a refugee from the Congo and a formidable thief. For years, Tiny has been planning to avenge her mother, who was murdered by her lover, but when the opportunity arises, things don't go to plan. Tiny must travel through Africa to discover the real story, accompanied by none other than the murderer's son...who is also Tiny's childhood best friend. This story contains a riveting plot with a good pace and well-developed characters, and is a great new spin on the Ocean's Eleven "thief on a mission" storyline while also addressing several important global issues, such as the refugee crisis and systemic poverty. Overall, a great read.

Review: Twenty Questions For Gloria

Twenty Questions For Gloria

By Martyn Bedford

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

Publication Date: April 12th, 2016

In TWENTY QUESTIONS FOR GLORIA, the funny, confident, and smart Uman transfers to unadventurous Gloria’s school, they are immediately drawn to each other. With Uman’s glum past and Gloria’s new desire for adventure, they start to hang out more often. Then one day, Uman and Gloria decide to run away together. After fifteen days of being missing, Gloria comes back but Uman does not and the entire country is wondering: Where did Gloria go? TWENTY QUESTIONS FOR GLORIA is a spontaneous mystery-thriller with a YA contemporary love twist. Gloria’s naive character and Uman’s love for adventure makes them very relatable to young adults. Bedford’s intricate characters and quirky dialogue draws us in from the very start. This ‘Bonnie and Clyde’-esque book is perfect for teenage fans of GONE GIRL.

Review: The Conspiracy of Us

The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall
Publication date: January 13, 2015
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Sixteen-year-old Avery Hall has never stayed anywhere very long. Her mom's job keeps them constantly moving from place to place. But then, one day in a small town, Jack Bishop shows up and changes Avery's life by telling her the truth about her family. He then leads her on a journey from Paris to the alleys of Istanbul with Stellan, another boy hiding many secrets. Of course, he is not the only one. Everybody is hiding secrets, including Avery, secrets that she didn't even know mattered. As Avery discovers more and more about who she really is, she also finds out that many people want to use her as a pawn, while others want her dead. What will she do to retain her freewill while rescuing those she loves?

THE CONSPIRACY OF US was an incredible book. It was action-packed and always suspenseful. I was rushing to get to the last page, was constantly wondering and needing to know every character's secrets, as they all were keeping something hidden. The characters all have fun and relatable personalities, and I loved the touch of romance and the forbidden love between Jack and Avery. I also loved the way that Maggie Hall created the Circle of Twelve. She did an incredibly good job introducing something complex and creative into today's already complex society. The only negative thing I can say is that the book ended on a cliffhanger, with the conflict unresolved. I can't wait for the sequel! (Because that can not have been the end, Maggie Hall).

Review: The Kiss of Deception

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
Publication date: July 8, 2014
Publisher: Henry Holt

Mary E. Pearson's THE KISS OF DECEPTION is a story about a runaway princess who has to find her way in an unforgiving world without the advantages, or shields, that come with her upbringing in royalty. She finds herself at odds with the danger and uncertainty of her surroundings. As the novel progresses, Princess Lia grows from a dependent princess, to an independent young woman capable of making decisions for the better, not only for herself, but those around her as well. She learns about sacrifice, loyalty, and deception as she struggles with pursuit from killers, and hunters, and everlasting secrets. I loved the characters in this book and the complex relationships described. I felt like I struggled through my love and dislike of all of them along with Lia. I also really liked the details and imagery of the story making me feel like I was in the adventure, in a whole different society than our own.

Review: Skink-No Surrender

Skink-No Surrender by Carl Hiaasen
Publication date: September 23, 2014
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Richard and his cousin Malley have always been close, so when he learns she has run off with a guy she met in an Internet chat room, he is baffled that she left without letting him know. When Malley contacts him, however, he senses that her little trip may have skidded off track. Disappointed that the law seemed to have hit a wall in locating her and the guy, Richard teams up with an unlikely partner, a seventy-two-year-old eccentric called Skink who is really the former governor of Florida, declared dead after disappearing into the Florida swamp a few years back.

I was really looking forward to reading this book, because I am a very big fan of Hiaasen and some of his other books I read a while ago, such as Flush and Hoot. In SKINK NO SURRENDER, my absolute favorite parts were whenever Skink was involved. He provided the humor and most of the action in the novel. He is also such a bizarre character that reading about him doing even the most mundane things were all so interesting. Hiaasen’s novels always feature criminals who commit a series of crimes against the environment, and this novel is no exception. These parts are really interesting and quite different from most YA novels I've read outside of Hiaasen’s books.

Review: The Accidental Highwayman

The Accidental Highwayman by Ben Tripp
Publication date: October 14, 2014
Publisher: Tor Teen

Kit Bristol, the main character in Ben Tripp's THE ACCIDENTAL HIGHWAYMAN, was your average servant; he did the housework, the shopping, and pretty much ran the life of his master, until one day his beloved mentor and savior, returns home wearing the all-black clothing and signature mask of infamous highwayman Whistling Jack. This incident, combined with the fatal gunshot wound that kills his master, forces Kit on an adventure that will change his destiny forever. Having donned the clothing of Whistling Jack, Kit is sent on a quest to save Morgana, the Princess of the Fey and the betrothed to the King of England himself! Accompanied by the princess, the fastest horse in all of England, a circus acrobat, a senile old man, a chimpanzee, fairies, and many other impossible companions, Kit races against the clock to reach safe ground, before the King of Fey, the One-Eyed Duchess, or all the King's Army and all the King's Men can catch them.

THE ACCIDENTAL HIGHWAYMAN, is a fast-paced adventure about finding oneself in unpredictable and dangerous situations. Although the language can sometimes be a little medieval, it is well worth breaking out the dictionary. The characters in the story are all well-developed and totally relatable, even though the book's readers aren't fairy princesses and wanted criminals (hopefully).

Review: After the End

After the End by Amy Plum
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication date: May 6, 2014

AFTER THE END by Amy Plum is a story about a girl named Juneau who was born into a world of ignorance and danger. She believed that in 1984 there was a Third World War that killed most of the world in a horrific nuclear explosion. One day, however, when Juneau is off hunting, her family and friends are kidnapped and, for the first time in her life, Juneau finds herself crossing the borders of their clan to go rescue them when she discovers the horrible truth. There was never a bomb. The world never ended, just hers. She finds a fully functioning society 3 days from all she has ever known and she has been lied to for her entire life. While she is trying to cope with this new existence, Juneau goes on an adventure to try to save her clan, understand a prophecy, and escape the clutches of those who are after her, those who might just know the answers to all her questions. This story is filled with adventure and romance and sends you on an adventure in which you learn about the world, about trust, and has just enough magic that you just can’t put it down until you reach the last page. This book tells a completely different kind of story which is action-packed and filled with unexpected turns and leaves you excited, confused, and in love with all the characters. It was great!!