Fate Breaker (Realm Breaker, #3) by Victoria Aveyard

 Fate Breaker (Realm Breaker, #3) by Victoria Aveyard-625 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads Synopsis: 

A dark fate descends. A shattered alliance must rise.

The Companions are torn apart and the realm hangs in the balance, at the edge of ruin. Taristan and Queen Erida rise triumphant from the battlefield, while Corayne barely escapes with her life; her Companions left behind to uncertain fates.

But not all hope was lost: Corayne managed to steal Taristan's Spindleblade. Without it, Taristan can’t rip open any more Spindles. Without it, he can’t end the world.

Now, from every corner of the realm, the Companions race to reunite while they rally old allies and seek unexpected new ones, in one final push against darkness.

But Taristan and Erida are all but invincible. With their cruel god, What Waits, on their side, they will sacrifice anything and anyone to his hunger.

Everything has come to this. In the final clash between good and evil, a ragged alliance makes its bravest stand against a ruthless enemy . . . and the demon god who would consume the realm entire.

Thoughts: In this final installment of the trilogy plot points wrap up well and the ending is pretty satisfying. One small flaw is that there's a lot of build up to the final battle in the first 450 or so pages, but the final battle itself feels a bit rushed. Overall, though, this was a good read as was the entire series. 

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

 Little Women by Louisa May Alcott-504 pages (paperback)

⭐⭐⭐1/2

Goodreads Synopsis: Meg, Jo, Amy, and Beth--four "little women" enduring hardships and enjoying adventures in Civil War New England

The charming story of the March sisters, Little Women has been adored for generations. Readers have rooted for Laurie in his pursuit of Jo's hand, cried over little Beth's untimely death, and dreamed of traveling through Europe with old Aunt March and Amy. Aspiring writers have found inspiration in Jo's devotion to her writing. In this simple, enthralling tale, Louisa May Alcott has created four of American literature's most beloved women.

In her enlightening, thoughtful introduction, Elaine Showalter discusses Louisa May Alcott's influences and her aspirations for Little Women, as well as the impact the novel has had on such women writers as Joyce Carol Oates and Cynthia Ozick.

Thoughts: I didn't read this earlier in life for school or for pleasure. I was interested to read this, though, as our next choice for the Book to Movie Club. It's well written and a decent story, but I didn't find myself very excited about the story or very invested in the story and characters until the final 100 pages or so. That said, I'm not mad that I read it. It's a decent read, if a little long.

The Battle for Skandia

 The Battle for Skandia b4 by John Flanagan 294 pages

 Summary: Still far from their homeland after escaping slavery in the icebound land of Skandia, the Ranger's apprentice and the princess's plan to return to Araluen is spoiled when Evanlyn is taken captive by a Temujai warrior. Though still weakened by the warmweed's toxic effects, Will employs his Ranger training to locate his friend, but an enemy scouting party has him fatally outnumbered. Will is certain death is close at hand, until old friends make a daring, last-minute rescue. The reunion is cut short, however, when they make a horrifying discovery: Skandia's borders have been breached by the entire Temujai army. And Araluen is next in their sights.

If two kingdoms are to be saved, the unlikeliest of unions must be made. Will it hold long enough to vanquish a ruthless new enemy? Or will past tensions spell doom for all?

The battles and drama are nonstop in Book Four of this hugely popular epic.

My Thoughts:  I enjoyed the 4th book because we got to focus on a country that wasn't Araluen and see how battles are fought basically between Scandinavians and Mongols which I thought was awesome. I loved how the author based the two countries on those two groups of people. I also enjoyed how Will basically has to start back at a lower level because of how long he hadn't been practicing his Ranger skills and seeing how dedicated he was to get the skill level back.

Pretty Little Liars

 Pretty Little Liars Book 1 by Sara Shepard 286 pages

Summary: EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING TO HIDE - ESPECIALLY HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS SPENCER, ARIA, EMILY, AND HANNA

Spencer covets her sister's boyfriend. Aria's fantasizing about her English teacher. Emily's crushing on the new girl at school. Hanna uses some ugly tricks to stay beautiful. But they've all kept an even bigger secret since their friend Alison vanished.

How do I know? Because I know everything about the bad girls they were, the naughty girls they are, and the dirty secrets they've kept. And guess what? I'm telling.

My Thoughts: I watched the show Pretty Little Liars when it first came out and I was a fan of it, even though at times it's very unbelievable and cheesy. Still a die hard fan though. However, I have never read the books and I decided, why not. The book was a great start to the series and of course those types of popular girls make me want to smack them, so the author did great with making me not like them at the beginning of the book. 

Daughter of Smoke and Bone

 Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor 418 pages

Summary: Around the world, black hand prints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands", she speaks many languages - not all of them human - and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.
When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

My Thoughts:  This book was intriguing to me and kept me guessing. I loved the fact that she has "angels and demons" but not in the normal sense, they are monsters all of them and there is no good and bad, everyone is a mixture. I loved how in tune the author was with Karou's emotions and how we felt everything she felt. It was a great start to the series and I look forward to continuing reading this series!

The Icebound Land

 The Icebound Land by John Flanagan Book #3 266 pages

Summary: Kidnapped after the fierce battle with Lord Morgarath, Will and Evanlyn are bound for Skandia as captives aboard a fearsome wolfship. Halt has sworn to rescue Will, and he will do anything to keep his promise–even defy his King. Expelled from the Rangers he has served so loyally, Halt is joined by Will's friend Horace as he travels toward Skandia. On their way, they are challenged constantly by freelance knights–but Horace knows a thing or two about combat. Soon he begins to attract the attention of knights and warlords for miles around with his uncanny skill. Even so, will they be in time to rescue Will from a horrific life of slavery?

My Thoughts:  Y'all this author does NOT shy away from tough topics. This book was a little heart wrenching as Evanlyn and Will get put into slavery and Will gets put in the work yard and gets addicted to drugs. As always this author kept me on my toes and I really am enjoying these books! I love the friendship that grows between Halt and Horace on their journey to rescue Will and Evanlyn.

The Burning Bridge

 The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan Bk 2  262 pages

Summary: Bracing for a final clash with the evil warlord Morgarath, the Rangers rally the kingdom's allies, and Will is chosen, along with his friend Horace, as special envoys to nearby Celtica. But the simple mission soon takes an unsettling turn - the Celticans have disappeared, their town abandoned. The scheming hand of Morgarath, it seems, has been far from idle. He has found a way to bring his legions over the once impassible eastern mountains and is planning to ambush the king's army in a rout. Now with help many miles away, Will and Horace are the only ones standing in the way of the dark lord's plans. They have shown great skill and courage in their training, but how will they fare in the face of true evil?

My Thoughts: Book 2 is just as engaging as book one was! I love how they are still dealing with Morgarath like they were in Book 1. The continuation of the story was interesting. The battle towards the end of book two, complete twist and pretty hard-core! Again it is a fantasy world, but there's no magic which you don't usually see NOT in a fantasy novel. 

The Ruins of Gorlan

 The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan Bk 1  249 pages

Summary: They have always scared him in the past — the Rangers, with their dark cloaks and shadowy ways. The villagers believe the Rangers practice magic that makes them invisible to ordinary people. And now 15-year-old Will, always small for his age, has been chosen as a Ranger's apprentice. What he doesn't yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom. Highly trained in the skills of battle and surveillance, they fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And as Will is about to learn, there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time, he will not be denied....

My Thoughts: This is an excellent book for teenage boys who don't want to read "girl books. It's based on medieval times with Knights, Kings, battles, and Rangers. I loved how this book is technically fantasy, but there's no magic to speak of. 

Howl's Moving Castle (Howl's, #1) by Dianna Wynne Jones

 Howl's Moving Castle (Howl's, #1) by Dianna Wynne Jones-429 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads Synopsis: Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl's castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there's far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye.

Thoughts: I really enjoyed reading this. It is a fantastical adventure about finding your true self. I found myself rooting for Sophie, Howl, and Calcifer. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy. It's our next selection for the Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book to Movie Club, so I'm excited to watch the movie and compare them. 

Blade Breaker (Realm Breaker, #2) by Victoria Aveyard

 Blade Breaker (Realm Breaker, #2) by Victoria Aveyard-578 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads synopsis: The fate of the world rests on a blade's edge.

Fighting beside her band of unlikely companions, Corayne is learning to embrace her ancient lineage and wield her father's powerful sword.

But while she successfully closed one of the Spindles, her journey is far from over.

Queen Erida's army marches across Allward with her consort, Taristan, right beside them, opening more portals into nightmarish worlds, razing kingdoms to the ground.

Corayne has no choice but to assemble an army of her own if she's to save the realm as she knows it. But perilous lands await her and the companions, and they face assassins, otherworldly beasts, and tempestuous seas all as they rally a divided Ward to fight behind them.

But Taristan has unleashed an evil far more wicked than his corpse armies. Something deadly waits in the shadows; something that might consume the world before there's any hope for victory.

Thoughts: I liked this more than the first one in this series. There's a bit more action and the characters seem more fleshed out. I am excited to read the last book in the trilogy soon. 

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

 Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon-312 pages (paperback)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads synopsis: My disease is as rare as it is famous. It’s a form of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, but basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in fifteen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives. New next door neighbors. I look out the window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black t-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly. I want to learn everything about him, and I do. I learn that he is funny and fierce. I learn that his eyes are Atlantic Ocean-blue and that his vice is stealing silverware. I learn that when I talk to him, my whole world opens up, and I feel myself starting to change—starting to want things. To want out of my bubble. To want everything, everything the world has to offer.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

Thoughts: The chapters aren't typical. It's not written Chapter 1, Chapter 2, and so on. Some of the "chapters" are one paragraph or even one sentence. That being said, it is a good read. 

Sunrise on the Reaping (Hunger Games Prequel) by Suzanne Collins

 Sunrise on the Reaping (Hunger Games Prequel) by Suzanne Collins-382 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Haymitch Abernathy lives in District 12 of Panem with his mom and younger brother, Sid. It's his 16th Birthday and it's also Reaping day. He has 40 "tickets" in the drawing, but is hopeful his name (nor his girlfriend, Lenore Dove's name) is not drawn. All hell breaks loose at the District 12 Reaping after a boy whose name is called tries to run. Haymitch ends up as one of the two boy tributes from 12 and is separated from his family and girlfriend and must compete in the second Quarter Quell (50th Hunger Games). What awaits is absolutely heartbreaking and horrifying. 

Having read and watched the original trilogy of books/movies, I knew Haymitch would survive, but I didn't realize just how much he would endure during his own Reaping and Hunger Games. I can completely understand why he took to heavily drinking after reading his story in this book. That being said, this is a good book and on par with the original trilogy. 

My Salty Mary (The Marys #3) by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand

My Salty Mary (The Marys #3) by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand-422 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the story of The Little Mermaid if the prince rejected her and married another, but she doesn't turn into sea foam. Instead, she becomes Mary Read, notorious pirate of the 18th Century. "Calico Jack" (John Rackham) and Anne Bonny, notorious pirates in their own right, are also a part of this story. Historically speaking, "Calico Jack" and Anne Bonny may have had a romantic relationship and it is fictionally portrayed here (Jack is half merman, half human in this story). The majority of the story takes place with her experience as a pirate sailing the open seas. Blackbeard's (Edward Teach) fictional son, Tobias Teach, is the navigator on the Ranger, which Mary ends up captaining. There ends up being a Pirate King contest and Mary enters it for complicated reasons. Pop culture references abound that make this such a fun read. I rather enjoyed reading this fictional story about pirates and mermaids and other fantastical creatures.

 

Beastly by Alex Flinn

 Beastly (Beastly #1) by Alex Flinn - 300 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐✰

This modern-day retelling of Beauty and the Beast set in New York City tells the story of a very arrogant, popular, rich, "beautiful" boy who makes fun of the wrong witch and is cursed to look as ugly on the outside as he is on the inside. Thus, the beast is born.

New characters are added to this modern fairy tale: the beast's father, who can probably be given credit for the person his son turned to be, a blind tutor, and a housekeeper with a secret.

I thought this book was really cute, and I enjoyed the internet chats between chapters.

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

 Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas - 576 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Celaena has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak. She is now alone in Wendlin with a broken heart and no motivation to complete an impossible task. She has hit rock bottom and blames herself for the fates and deaths of loved ones until she reaches a turning point and realizes she has to accept the pain and regret and move forward. Her character development throughout is phenomenal as she becomes stronger, wiser, and more determined while also staying stubborn, snarky, and brave. In short, she develops into a queen ready to fight for her kingdom as, with the help of Fae Prince Rowan Whitethorn, she tries to "become worthy" of being allowed into Doranelle to get information about the Wyrdkeys from the Fae Queen Maeve.

I love this series, and this 3rd installment is even better than the first two. I can't wait to see what lies in store as Celaena returns to Erilea.

The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

 The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass Prequel-Novellas #0.1-0.5) by Sarah J. Maas - 451 pages

⭐⭐⭐✩✩

Novellas included:

The Assassin and the Pirate Lord
The Assassin and the Healer
The Assassin and the Desert
The Assassin and the Underworld
The Assassin and the Empire

Celaena Sardothien is her kingdom’s most feared assassin. When Celaena's scheming master, Arobynn Hamel, dispatches her on missions that take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, she finds herself acting independently of his wishes—and questioning her own allegiance. She may work for the powerful and ruthless Assassin’s Guild, but Celaena yields to no one and trusts only her fellow killer for hire, Sam.

Along the way, she makes friends and enemies and discovers that she feels far more for Sam than just friendship. But by defying Arobynn’s orders, Celaena risks unimaginable punishment, and with Sam by her side, he is in danger, too. They will have to risk it all if they hope to escape Arobynn’s clutches—and if they fail, they’ll lose not just a chance at freedom, but their lives . . .

On the recommendation of my daughter, who LOVES this series, I read this after I finished the 2nd book. I'm not sure if it was because I was not familiar with all the characters or because I really wanted to see what happens in the 3rd book, but at times I had difficulty staying engaged. That being said, I did enjoy it. The insight into Celaena's relationship with Arobynn Hamel and the contrast between Arobynn's domain and that of the Silent Master's, along with the betrayals she experienced, definitely helped me understand her better. 

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

 Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas - 432 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie... and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

I liked this 2nd installment in the Throne of Glass series just as much as I liked the 1st book. I definitely did not anticipate several of the revelations that came to light in this book, and I'm just as anxious to see what comes next as I was at the end of the 1st book.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

 Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas - 432 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In a land without magic, the king rules with an iron hand. An assassin is brought to the castle from the salt mines - not to kill the king, but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she will be released from slaverey to serve as the king's champion. Her name is Celaena Sardothien.

The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. But something evil dwells in the castle of glass—and it's there to kill. When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena's fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world.

I'm not usually a reader of Teen books, but this one captured my interest from the beginning. The characters have a lot of depth, especially Celaena. I really like the way you learn about her a little at a time, and I like her more and more with every revelation about her background and true character. It's very easy to hate the king and his minions and wish for their downfall to come immediately even though this is only the beginning of the series.

Too Scared to Sleep by Andrew Duplessie

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩

Too Scared to Sleep by Andrew Duplessie - 224 pages

A garbage disposal that feeds on flesh . . .

A beloved stuffed rabbit that cooks up your parents . . .

Roses that require human blood to bloom . . .

From blood-chilling horror to supernatural scares, this collection of short stories from debut author Andrew Duplessie offers something to stoke anyone's fear factor. But that's only the beginning. In a first-ever twist, each story also comes with a pulse-pounding video that deepens the horror. Point your phone at the QR code and be prepared to scream! Maybe even share it with your friends, if you dare.

This is a cute horror short story book for young adults.  The stories are unique, there are some odd poems, and after each story there is a QR code that you can scan to watch a short spooky clip that does along with the story.  I'll admit, the first one got me to jump, which I don't like to admit but hey, I feel the need to be honest.

Five Total Strangers by Natalie D. Richards

 Five Total Strangers by Natalie D. Richards - 302 pages

A hitched ride home in a snow storm turns sinister when one of the passengers is plotting for the ride to end in disaster.

When Mira flies home to spend Christmas with her mother in Pittsburgh, a record-breaking blizzard results in a cancelled layover. Desperate to get to her grief-ridden mother in the wake of a family death, Mira hitches a ride with a group of friendly college kids who were on her initial flight.

As the drive progresses and weather conditions become more treacherous, Mira realizes that the four other passengers she's stuck in the car with don't actually know one another.

Soon, they're not just dealing with heavy snowfall and ice-slick roads, but the fact that somebody will stop at nothing to ensure their trip ends in a deadly disaster. 

I wanted to like this book, I really did. However, I wasn't a fan of this book and the longer I read it, the more the main character, Mira, and all the other characters got on my nerves. I honestly wouldn't recommend this book to anyone, but still plan on to read more from this author.