The Hurricane Wars

 The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon 472 pages Book 1

Synopsis: All Talasyn has ever known is the Hurricane Wars. Growing up an orphan in a nation under siege by the ruthless Night Emperor, Talasyn has found her family among the soldiers who fight for freedom. But she is hiding a deadly secret: light magic courses through her veins, a blazing power believed to have been wiped out years ago that can cut through the Night Empire's shadows.

Prince Alaric, the emperor's only son and heir, has been forged into a weapon by his father. Tasked with obliterating any threats to the Night Empire's rule with the strength of his armies and mighty Shadow magic, Alaric has never been bested. That is until he sees Talasyn burning brightly on the battlefield with the magic that killed his grandfather, turned his father into a monster, and ignited the Hurricane Wars. In a clash of light and dark, their powers merge and create a force the likes of which has never been seen.

Talasyn and Alaric both know this war can only end with them. But a greater threat is coming, and the strange new magic they can create together could be the only way to overcome it. Thrust into an uneasy alliance, they will confront the secrets at the heart of the war and find, in each other, a searing passion--one that could save their world...or destroy it.

My Thoughts: We read this book in Cedar Hill's Romantasy Book Club. This book was amazing, it was definitely a slow start. The world building was wonderful and the map in the book was actually accurate! Two fun facts I learned about this book are as follows:

1. it's inspired by Southeast Asian mythology, specifically Philippine mythology. 

2. This book started as a Star Wars Fan Fiction book, in which Kylo Ren and Rey are forced into an arranged marriage.

The Silence Factory

 The Silence Factory by Bridget Collins 384 pages 

Synopsis: 1820: Sophia Ashmore-Percy reluctantly accompanies her husband James to a remote Greek island, where he searches for rare biological specimens. Once there, however, she sets on her own voyage of discovery—stumbling across the very creature he is looking for, making an unexpected connection with a local woman, and ultimately reconsidering her marriage, life, and own desires.

Decades later, audiologist Henry Latimer is sent to the home of industrialist Sir Edward Ashmore-Percy and tasked with curing the man’s young daughter, Philomel, of her deafness. But Henry, eager to escape a troubled past, quickly becomes obsessed with the fascinating nature of Sir Edward’s business: spinning silk with a rare and magical breed of spiders. The extraordinary silk shields sound, offering respite from bustling streets and noisy neighbors. The result is instant tranquility, as wearers experience a soothing calmness. Yet, those within earshot of the outward-facing silk are subjected to eerie murmurs that amplify with proximity. Bystanders suffer the consequences of this unnerving phenomenon, manifesting in physical and mental afflictions ranging from headaches and drowsiness to severe cases of madness.

As Henry becomes entangled in the allure of the silk and Sir Edward’s charm, he glimpses a more sinister family history. The closer he ventures into the inner circle of Carthmute House, the more he unravels the horrifying underbelly of the silk business.

My Thoughts: I really wanted to like this book, but I did struggle to get through it. I loved the overall themes of this novel: Power, control, and complicity, colonialism, escaping grief, and ethics. I just had a difficult time feeling bogged down with all the scientific talk about the spiders and their silk. I recommend it if you like this type of book, it's worth it to get through to the end. 

Seek the Traitor's Son (The Burning Empire #1) by Veronica Roth

 Seek the Traitor's Son (The Burning Empire #1) by Veronica Roth-416 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

A new epic romantic, dystopian fantasy begins in Seek the Traitor's Son, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth

Elegy Ahn did not ask for destiny to find her.

She is happy with her life as a soldier, defending her small country from the Talusar, a powerful nation who worships a deadly Fever. A fever that blesses half of its victims with mysterious gifts.

But then she’s summoned to hear a prophecy–her, and the most ruthless of Talusar generals, Rava Vidar. Brought face to face, they learn that one of them will lead their people to victory over the other…but they don’t know which. And at the center of both of their fates: a man. A man that, Elegy is told, she will fall in love with.

In just one day, Elegy’s old life–her job, her purpose, and her future–is over. She and Rava are destined to collide, with the fate of their nations hanging in the balance. And when they do, only one will be left standing.

Elegy intends to make sure it’s her.

Thoughts: I have read most of Roth's previous books and I've met her at author events twice now (both were great experiences). This is probably my favorite of hers since Divergent. It starts a bit slow, but really picks up in the second half. I look forward to the second and final book of the duology, which the title was recently revealed to be Curse the Left Hand. 

Carter Avery's Tricky Fourth Grade Year by Rob Buyea

 

Carter Avery's Tricky Fourth Grade Year  by Rob Buyea   344 pages

No teacher has ever liked Carter Avery. So he doesn’t expect that Ms. Olivia Krane will be any different. In fact, he heard the rumor that the new teacher -- nicknamed Owl-livia, or the Owl, for short -- can twist her head all the way round to catch any kid who’s up to no good. And since Carter has a hard time sitting still and not blurting stuff out, he’s sure he’s in for rough times being sent to the principal’s office. Making things worse: annoying know-it-all Missy Gerber is in his class! But the Owl knows just how to handle Carter’s energy, showing his classmates another side of him. Everything’s looking up until Carter finds out that some people would like to see Ms. Krane replaced. The news spurs him on a secret mission to save his teacher. Then a disruption, heated words with Missy, and trouble outside of school test Carter’s plan, heart, and courage, as he navigates an especially tricky school year.

This is a Mark Twain nominee this year.  I think fourth and fifth graders will be able to relate to this book because of the hyper activeness of the character. I also think a lot of students feel this way toward teachers until they find one that will accept them for who they are.  I am a little concerned because it discusses artificial insemination in the way that the teacher becomes pregnant.  But other than that I recommend this for the age group.

March: Book One by John Lewis

March: Book One by John Lewis

March #1, 128 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

March is a vivid first-hand account of John Lewis' lifelong struggle for civil and human rights, meditating in the modern age on the distance traveled since the days of Jim Crow and segregation. Rooted in Lewis' personal story, it also reflects on the highs and lows of the broader civil rights movement.

Book One spans John Lewis' youth in rural Alabama, his life-changing meeting with Martin Luther King, Jr., the birth of the Nashville Student Movement, and their battle to tear down segregation through nonviolent lunch counter sit-ins, building to a stunning climax on the steps of City Hall.

Many years ago, John Lewis and other student activists drew inspiration from the 1950s comic book Martin Luther King and the Montgomery Story. Now, his own comics bring those days to life for a new audience, testifying to a movement whose echoes will be heard for generations.

Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang

Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang

Superman Smashes the Klan #1-3, 240 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

The year is 1946, and the Lee family has moved from Chinatown to Downtown Metropolis. While Dr. Lee is eager to begin his new position at the Metropolis Health Department, his two kids, Roberta and Tommy, are more excited about being closer to the famous superhero Superman!

Tommy adjusts quickly to the fast pace of their new neighborhood, befriending Jimmy Olsen and joining the club baseball team, while his younger sister Roberta feels out of place when she fails to fit in with the neighborhood kids. She's awkward, quiet, and self-conscious of how she looks different from the kids around her, so she sticks to watching people instead of talking to them.

While the Lees try to adjust to their new lives, an evil is stirring in Metropolis: the Ku Klux Klan. The Klan targets the Lee family, beginning a string of terrorist attacks. They kidnap Tommy, attack the Daily Planet, and even threaten the local YMCA. But with the help of Roberta's keen skills of observation, Superman is able to fight the Klan's terror, while exposing those in power who support them--and Roberta and Superman learn to embrace their own unique features that set them apart.

I Killed Adolf Hitler by Jason

I Killed Adolf Hitler by Jason

48 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

What if we lived in a world where ‘murderer for hire’ was as legal and commonplace a profession as doctor or engineer?

What if a scientist hired one of these assassins for the most amazing hit of his career…to go back in time and kill Adolf Hitler before his evil rise to power?

And what if Hitler managed to survive that assassination attempt, steal the time machine, sneak back to the 21st century…leaving the would be killer stranded 70 years ago?

If you think you can guess the answers to any of these questions…you’re wrong. And you need to read this graphic novel, the amazing deadpan masterpiece from mighty Jason.