Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4) by Sarah J. Maas

Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4) by Sarah J. Maas-645 pages

I continue to enjoy reading through this series. Aelin Galathynius, the rightful Queen of Terrasen, continues her quest to defeat the King of Adarlan and his forces. She forges alliances with new and familiar alike. I enjoyed the twists and turns and the ending. I look forward to reading the next book in this series, Empire of Storms. 

Queen's Peril (Star Wars Disney Canon) by E.K. Johnston

Queen's Peril (Star Wars Disney Canon) by E.K. Johnston-276 pages

I enjoyed reading this novel. It explains how Padme Amidala won the election and became Queen of Naboo and it also explains how her handmaidens were chosen. It susses out the process of her handmaidens becoming interchangeable with her and being trained to play the role of Queen. Padme's early time as Queen is explored leading up to the events of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace and beyond. The book is mostly from the point-of-view of Padme/Queen Amidala, but the handmaidens' voices and a few others are included, additionally.

Chosen Ones (Chosen Ones #1) by Veronica Roth

Chosen Ones (Chosen Ones #1) by Veronica Roth-432 pages

I've previously read the Divergent series, the Carve the Mark series, and a collection of short stories by Roth. I have enjoyed reading these, so I chose to purchase and read her latest novel. This one's target audience is adults instead of teens, like her previous novels. This is the story of 5 "Chosen Ones" who defeated a "Dark One" 10 years ago and are now coming together for a remembrance/memorial of the Dark One's defeat. Sloane, Matt, Esther, Ines, and Albie are their names. One of the group dies of an overdose soon after the memorial and nearly immediately following this death Matt, Sloane, and Esther are taken to a different, once parallel, universe (Cordus, specifically). They soon find out that they have been brought to Cordus to defeat a "Dark One." However, everything in this universe may not be as it seems. I found this an intriguing read, especially near the end.

A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3.1) by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3.1) by Sarah J. Maas-229 pages

This is the last book in the series, so far, although more are to come, supposedly. A hard-won peace has settled over Prythian and Feyre and Rhys and the rest of the Court of Dreams aim to keep it that way as the Winter Solstice draws near. New voices are heard as this book has chapters written from not only Feyre's and Rhys's perspective but also from Cassian's and Mor's. No battles or fighting happen in this book, but it is a good read, nonetheless. I look forward to reading the books to come, perhaps next year, and I may even read her other series, Throne of Glass.

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3) by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3) by Sarah J. Maas-699 pages

I liked this book a lot. The story takes many twists and turns as the second book did (A Court of Mist and Fury), which I found fascinating, exhilarating. This book brings the story (so far) to a good conclusion. There is another book (A Court of Frost and Starlight, which I will read next) and rumors of more books to be published next year, perhaps, but this brings the story of the battle with the King of Hybern to a good, mostly clean conclusion. I have come to thoroughly enjoy Feyre and Rhys and their companions, The Court of Dreams.

A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) by Sarah J. Maas-626 pages

This is the second book in the series and I am eager to read the third book in the series. I enjoyed reading this one as much if not more than A Court of Thorns and Roses. It takes many twists and turns and Feyre grows ever stronger as a High Fae. The witty (sometimes sexual, which is not exactly my thing, but I enjoyed nonetheless) banter between Rhysand and Feyre is interesting, fun and keeps the book light. Additionally, I like the Court of Dreams, who are all very close: Mor, Rhysand, Azriel, Amren, Cassian, and lastly Feyre. While this series is a bit more vulgar (mostly sexually) than I would normally like, I am enjoying it.

The End and Other Beginnings by Veronica Roth

The End and Other Beginnings by Veronica Roth-256 pages

This is a collection of short stories by Veronica Roth, author of the Divergent Series and the Carve the Mark Duology. I especially enjoyed reading the story "The Armored Ones" which is set in the Carve the Mark world. It delves into the story of Akos Kereseth defeating an Armored One and gaining Shotet armor. I also enjoyed the story called "The Spinners." Overall, this is pretty good, but I don't like it as much as the Divergent Series or even Carve the Mark.

The Fates Divide (Carve the Mark #2) by Veronica Roth

The Fates Divide (Carve the Mark #2) by Veronica Roth-443 pages

I met Veronica and had this book signed soon after it was released back in April at an author event in St. Charles. I enjoyed Carve the Mark, the first book in the duology, so I wanted to read this one to see how it turns out. I liked reading The Fates Divide a little more than Carve the Mark. I have read the Divergent series by Roth, also, and I liked it a little better than the Carve the Mark series. I did like the ending of The Fates Divide better than the ending of Allegiant, though. Overall, I enjoyed reading The Fates Divide and would recommend it to readers of Sci-Fi/Fantasy and for readers of teen fiction.

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth-468 pages

I started reading this in June for the Teen books challenge, but didn't finish until now. I have read Roth's entire Divergent series and met her in person at an author event in St. Charles in April. I wanted to read Carve the Mark because of this and next I am going to read The Fates Divide, which is the next and final book in this duology. I enjoyed reading this book. It is not my favorite book, but I do enjoy a good Sci-Fi story and a good teen story and this hit on both. I am looking forward to reading The Fates Divide and seeing how Cyra and Akos's story ends.

Leia, Princess of Alderaan (Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi) by Claudia Gray

Leia, Princess of Alderaan (Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi) by Claudia Gray-409 pages

I read this because little had been written or said about Leia's childhood after her adoption by Bail and Breha Organa. I am glad that I read this because it did not disappoint. Claudia Gray has written other Star Wars novels (I have read both Lost Stars and Bloodline) and I really liked them, so that also factored into my reading this. This story is about Princess Leia becoming the official, vested heir to the throne of Alderaan at age 16. It is also about her time in the Imperial Apprentice Legislature and her finding out about her parents' planning/starting the rebellion. She is eventually allowed to join her parents in the rebellion (obviously). Anyway, I liked this book, though not quite as much as Gray's other Star Wars novels. 

December 2015 Post #4-Jason Phinney

Heir to the Empire (Star Wars) by Timothy Zahn-361 pages

This is the first book of a trilogy set 5 years after the events of "Return of the Jedi." It is about Grand Admiral Thrawn taking control of what is left of the Imperial Fleet/Empire and his first steps toward defeating the New Republic and re-instituting the Empire and Imperial Control. Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca, R2-D2, and C-3PO are a part of the main story as well, of course.

Dark Force Rising (Star Wars) by Timothy Zahn-376 pages

This is the second book of the trilogy. It immediately follows the events of Heir to the Empire. The New Republic continues to struggle to gain control of the galaxy and to fight a war against Grand Admiral Thrawn and the remnant of the Empire. Luke, Leia, Han, Chewie, Lando, and others continue to be the main protagonists, along with some new side characters (some of which were introduced in Heir to the Empire). The main plot of this installment is finding and gaining control of the Katana fleet, a.k.a. the Dark Force.

The Last Command (Star Wars) by Timothy Zahn (Kindle edition ebook)-468 pages

In this thrilling conclusion to the Thrawn trilogy, Zahn artfully weaves many stories together into a fitting conclusion for the series. The anticipation to the climax is built up with great skill, but the climax/conclusion is a bit hasty and short. The build-up to the end is much more detailed than the conclusion itself and the end, while fitting, seems a bit forced because of it. Overall, though, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and the entire trilogy and am glad to have done so.

June 2015 Reads

Viva Jacquelina! by L.A. Meyer 384 pages (teen)
  Jackie is off to Spain to spy for England against the French this time, but in true Faber fashion finds herself in trouble with the church again and any other authority figure she comes across.

Boston Jacky by L.A. Meyer 364 pages (teen)
  Finally back on American soil Jackie and her company are running low on funds. She finds herself on the way to New Orleans with a most unexpected passenger and of course there is mayhem. Meanwhile her beloved Jaimy is nowhere to be found even though Charlie said he would be in Boston.

Wild Rover No More by L.A. Meyer 355 pages (teen)
 Hiding in a Puritan town isn't as easy as it would sound, Jackie must run or lose her life.

Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder 410 pages
 So this is number four in the Chronicles of Ixia series and it reads a bit different than the first three but that may be because it has been a bit of a wait for it. It is still an excellent series but I absolutely HATE when a book ends with a huge surprise that catches you off guard!

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld 406 pages (teen)
Pretties  by Scott Westerfeld 348 pages (teen)
Specials by Scott Westerfeld 370 pages (teen)
 The "Uglies" follows Tally Youngblood from her sixteenth birthday through her adventures in the Pretty and Special worlds with her sometimes friend sometimes enemy Shay.

Extras by Scott Westerfeld 417 pages (teen)
 A stand alone companion after the "Uglies" Trilogy, this story follows Aya in a post bubble head world.

Voice Over vol. 1 by Maki Minami pages 208 (teen)
 I think this would be more interesting as an anime so you can actually hear the voices the manga-ka had in their mind when they were writing it. Other than that it sounds like a typical bottom of the dog pile story.

Black Butler Vol. 19 by Yana Toboso 182 pages (teen)
 Queen Victoria has sent Ciel and Sebastian to Germany to discover the secrets behind a mysterious forest, but will more of their own secrets be pulled into the light instead?

Kiss of the Rose Princess by Aya Shouoto
Vol. 1 176 pages (teen)
Vol. 2 176 pages (teen)
Vol. 3 174 pages (teen)
 It's a cute reverse harem. Father is SUPER CREEPY!! Some bits are a little hard to follow but you get the general idea of what is supposed to be happening and what has happened. I'm looking forward to the next volume.

After School Charisma by Kumiko Suekane
Vol. 1 202 pages (teen)
 Set sometime in the 2XXX's St. Kleio Academy is home to some of the worlds greatest leaders, scientist, politicians, and heroes the world has seen, as in they are clones of dead people. Hitler, Marie Curie, Mozart, and Joan of Arc are just a few historical figures we get to meet.

January 2015 Books

Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs 294 pages
 Anna is learning more about herself and werewolves in general than she has in the entire three years since she was turned. Now she is helping Charles take down a dangerous wolf who could threaten the safety of all packs.

Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs 286 pages
 Charles takes Anna to a werewolf summit for negotiations on coming out to the human population. Unfortunately someone is hiring vampires to kidnap and kill certain wolves. Now they have to figure out who and why and restore the peace between packs.

Fair Game by Patricia Briggs 293 pages
 Bran sends Anna with Charles to Boston to help the FBI catch a serial killer who has been taking out werewolves and fae. Now they just have to catch it before it takes them down.

Black Butler Vol. 18 by Yana Toboso 172 pages
 Yay! We finally find out the reason behind Derrick Arden's disappearance and hopefully have no more cricket to read through. Now Ciel is off to Germany to uncover the truth behind some mysterious deaths.

The Earl and the Fairy Vol. 1 by Ayuko 177 pages
The Earl and the Fairy Vol. 2 by Ayuko 208 pages
 This is a cute series, there are two more volumes but I just could not get into them. Most of the character's relationships are just too confusing and trying to figure out who The Earl is just leaves you with a headache.

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld 599 pages
 Going back and forth between the writer and subject is a little confusing at first but turns out a wonderful show of the way a story develops. I think I will read this one again after a few years.

Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder 488 pages
Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder 416 pages
Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder 476 pages
 This trilogy brings us to Opal, a young woman who we are introduced to in in the Study series by Snyder. It starts a few years after the Davian takeover and finds her in a strange position in the magical community. These books take us her journey through unsure waters to becoming a confident woman who knows what she wants.

God Save the Queen by Kate Locke

God Save the Queen by Kate Locke, 354 pages
(Book 1 of Immortal Empire series)

This was a great read and I'm looking forward to finishing the series. Xandra's youngest half sister, Dede, has gone missing and she will do anything to find her. Nevermind that the authorities found a body that her sister and brother agree is Dede. Xandra senses something odd is at foot and starts out on a road that will lead her to startling discoveries about herself and the world she lives in. Xandra is a halfie - half human and half vampire. Vampires rule this world controlled by the Monarchy. Queen Victoria is still alive and kicking - ruling for 175 years now. Goblins, Werewolves and other creatures that go bump in the night are very much real. This is your classic Sci-fi/Fantasy Steampunk novel complete with twists and turns that will keep your head spinning. To say anymore would give too much away. This is a definite - must read for yourself book. It does have language, violence, torture, sex and some pretty graphic parts, but considering you have vampires, werewolves, goblins and humans ... it's kind of hard not to.

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Scarlet By Marissa Meyer - 452 pgs

This is the second book in the Lunar Chronicles Series, its a good idea to read the first book before starting this one. The first book Cinder sets up a futuristic world with prince and princesses as well as robotic aspects.  This book Scarlet continues the story from another aspect and brings in more characters including some with werewolf and vampire like qualities.  It all works well together and makes for a very imaginative story.  Looking forward to the next one in the series.