Far Sector by N. K. Jemison

Far Sector by N. K. Jemison
Far Sector #1-12, 305 pages

⭐⭐⭐/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)
The first murder in 500 years. Twenty billion suspects. One hope.

For the past six months, newly chosen Green Lantern Sojourner “Jo” Mullein has been protecting the City Enduring, a massive metropolis of 20 billion people. The city has maintained peace for over 500 years by stripping its citizens of their ability to feel. As a result, violent crime is virtually unheard of, and murder is nonexistent. But that’s all about to change.

A Killer Kind of Romance by Letizia Lorini

A Killer Kind of Romance by Letizia Lorini -- 464 pages

Scarlett Moore doesn’t do romance. She’s made a name for herself narrating gritty crime fiction on a local podcast. But when her boss hands her the reins to the network’s romance show, Scarlett finds herself neck-deep in swoony love stories on top of her usual murder plots. Then someone begins reenacting the chilling crimes she discusses on air, down to the last twisted detail.

Determined to protect her small town, Scarlett launches her own investigation. But the line between reality and fiction blurs even more when Rafael Gray—the brooding bad boy who disappeared five years ago—unexpectedly returns. Suddenly, her life reads like a romance novel filled with every trope she used to mock, with Rafael playing the dangerously irresistible lead. He's perfect in every way...except last time, he broke her heart, and now he’s the prime suspect in the string of brutal murders. Will this be the love story she never saw coming, or is it a killer kind of romance?

That Night by Gillian McAllister

 

That Night by Gillian McAllister - 464 pages

What would you do to protect your family?

Anything.

During a family holiday in Italy, you get an urgent call from your sister.

There's been an accident: she hit a man with her car and he's dead.

She's overcome with terror - fearing years in a foreign jail away from her child.

She asks for your help. It wasn't her fault, not really. She'd cover for you, so will you do the same for her?

But when the police come calling, the lies start. And you each begin to doubt your trust in one another.

What really happened that night?

Who is lying to who?

Who will be the first to crack?

The first half of this book was hard for me to get through, it was boring.  But, once a certain character found out the secret then it got interesting.  The last half was pretty good. I'd give 3 out of 5 stars.

How to Stay Invisible by Maggie Rudd

How to Stay Invisible   by Maggie Rudd  230 Pages

Twelve-year-old Raymond Hurley has never had a place to call home. His freewheeling parents move their family from town to town, and they're living in a trailer in a brand-new state when one day they just up and abandon him. All alone with nothing but a duffel bag full of clothes and Rosie, his reliable pup, Raymond is forced to live in the woods behind his middle school. With a fishing pole in hand and a survival guide checked out from the library, Raymond scrapes by and doesn't tell anyone his secret. This isn't the first time he's had only himself to rely on. However, when winter days get colder and finding food becomes nearly impossible, Raymond makes new friends, including a curious coyote, in unexpected places. Soon he learns that his fate will depend on not just his wilderness skills, but also on the people and animals he chooses to trust. In her heartfelt debut novel, Maggie C. Rudd takes readers on a journey of survival that speaks to friendship, adventure, and the everyday wonders of nature. In middle school, blending in is easy, but sometimes the braver thing is being seen.

I read this because it is a Mark Twain nominee.  It was very sad but a reality for some children.  I am not sure children will understand the depth of the tragedy, and would think it is an adventure story.  I did not like the ending.  They introduced all of these different characters and then he didn't even get to go live with any of them...sorry spoiler!  It was a good book, but I definitely would want a different ending!

Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell

 Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell (345 Pages)

Summary: Clara’s magic has always been wild. But it’s never been dangerous. Then a simple touch causes poisonous flowers to bloom in her father’s chest. The only way to heal him is to cast an extremely difficult spell that requires perfect control. And the only person willing to help is her former best friend, Xavier, who’s grown from a sweet, shy child into someone distant and mysterious. Xavier asks a terrible price in return, knowing Clara will give anything to save her father. As she struggles to reconcile the new Xavier with the boy she once loved, she discovers how many secrets he’s hiding. And as she hunts for the truth, she instead finds the root of a terrible darkness that’s taken hold in the queendom—a darkness only Clara’s magic is powerful enough to stop. 

Opinion: This is a teen standalone fantasy book that I fully enjoyed. It's an easy entry into fantasy and I appreciated the correlation between magic and mental health. I had a good time reading from the main character's, Clara's, POV as she goes on an impactful character arc. I have mixed feelings on Xavier, but he did grow on me throughout the story. Overall, a quick easy fantasy read for all. 

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

 

Red Rising by Pierce Brown, 382 pages, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations. Yet he toils willingly, trusting that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.

But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and lush wilds spread across the planet. Darrow—and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.

Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity’s overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society’s ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies . . . even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.

I read this for Arnold's scifi/fantasy book club and absolutely LOVED it! The Hunger Games has always been one of my favorite book series, and this feels like it's older, more mature sibling in space.

Flying Witch, Volume 2

Flying Witch, Volume 2 - 160 pages

Chihiro Ishizuka, Melissa Tanaka (Translator)

Summary (From Goodreads)

Natural Enchantment -- Makoto goes to a local cherry blossom festival and happens to encounter someone who has a bone to pick with her sister, Akane. When Akane happens to drop by, she teaches Makoto some new tricks for flying and some easy spellcraft. Their kid cousin Chinatsu is so charmed by the witches’ talents that she makes an unexpected request…

Review

I do hope we get to see a bit more in the way of world-building.  It felt like they glossed over a lot, particularly regarding humans and magic.