When Among Crows by Veronica Roth

 When Among Crows by Veronica Roth-166 pages

⭐⭐⭐1/2

Dymitr seeks out and acquires a special fern flower to break a zmory's curse so that he can exchange the potential cure for a potential audience with the legendary Baba Jaga. He doesn't say why he wants an audience with Baba Jaga. He only says that he wants one. Dymitr appears to be a "normal" human surrounded by monsters in Chicago. He is unafraid, however, and the "creatures/monsters" wonder why he's not afraid. There may be more to him than meets the eye. 

I liked reading this, but I found the world building a bit lacking which is why I didn't give it 4 stars or higher. I like that the book is short, but that is both good and bad because it doesn't allow for enough background and world building. 

The Dead Years by Jeffrey B. Burton

 

The Dead Years by Jeffrey B. Burton - 294 pages

Siblings Cory and Crystal Pratt are still trying to get their lives together after a tragic accident which killed their parents years ago. The only thing that distracts them now is their jobs. With Crystal working as a newly minted detective at the Chicago Police Department and Cory owning a dog training academy with two human remains detection dogs of his own, their professional paths cross every now and then.Crime, and especially murder, in Chicago is nothing new, but when a string of killings happen that seem to be connected to a Netflix docuseries and its cast and crew, Cory and Crystal are called in to stop the number of bodies from piling any higher.But when the siblings start poking around the killer's business, the killer sets their sights on the pair . . . and particularly on Cory and his dogs! Will they be able to escape the fury of the serial killer or become the newest victims?

This is the first book by this author that I've read; it was pretty good.  It's written with alternative narratives, but sometimes it took me a paragraph or two to figure out whose narrative I was reading.  But, that aside, it was a good read if you like suspense/mystery.

Shadow Reaper by Christine Feehan

Shadow Reaper by Christine Feehan - 480 pages

Shadow Riders #2

Billionaire playboy Ricco Ferraro knows no other life. Being a shadow rider is in his blood - but so is a haunting desperation stemming from the secrets of his dark past. His recklessness puts not only his life at risk, but also the future of his entire family. To save them all, he must find a woman who can meet his every desire with a heat all her own...

Just when Ricco has given up hope, he meets her - a mysterious woman whose shadow connects with his. She's someone looking for a safe haven from the danger that has stalked her over the last several months. In Ricco's embrace, she finds one. But the darkness in which they so often find sanctuary can also consume them...

Shadow Rider by Christine Feehan

 Shadow Rider by Christine Feehan - 448 pages

Shadow Riders #1

Whether it’s fast cars or fast women, Stefano Ferraro gets what he wants. When he’s not fodder for the paparazzi, he commands Ferraro family businesses—both legitimate and illegitimate.

While their criminal activity is simply a rumor yet to be proven, no one knows the real truth. The Ferraros are a family of shadow riders capable of manipulating light and dark, an ability Stefano thought ran in his family alone—until now…

With little left to her name, Francesca Cappello has come to Chicago in hopes of a new life. She wasn’t expecting to attract the attention of a man with primal hunger in his eyes, driven to claim her as his to protect and to please. And if he discovers her secret, it could ruin her...

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.

Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty by G. Neri

Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty by G. Neri-94 pages

I did a search for good graphic biographies and this was on a list and we have it here in the library. I enjoy reading a graphic novel (fiction and non-fiction) periodically. This book is a sad read because Yummy (real name Robert) is a "shorty" in a Chicago gang who kills a 14-year-old neighborhood girl on accident in an attempt to kill rival gang members to impress his gang leaders. His "brothers" in the gang decide after some time (and a massive "man" hunt for Yummy) that he is a liability and they shoot him and kill him. Also, Yummy's parents are in and out of jail, so he is raised by his grandma, but spends more time on the streets than with her. Yummy ends up on the cover of Time Magazine as an example of the ongoing violence in Chicago and the U.S. Violence, especially gang-related violence, is still a hot issue today. It is sobering that kids this young (Yummy was 11) are joining gangs and being recruited for child armies across the world and something needs to be done, although I don't profess to know the answer. 

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green-215 pages

I enjoyed reading this book, although it was probably my least favorite of John Green's novels. It's not because I didn't like it, but because I just like Paper Towns, The Fault in Our Stars, and Looking for Alaska more. It is a lot to compete with. That being said, it is still a good read. I enjoyed Colin Singleton (the protagonist), Hassan (Colin Singleton's best friend), and Lindsey Lee Wells (a secondary protagonist). Colin is a child prodigy who has been in a relationship with 19 Katherines, 18 of which dumped him (he later remembers he dumped 1 of them). He and Hassan decide to take a road trip and and up in Gutshot, Tennessee where they meet Lindsey Lee Wells and her mother Hollis (and other, less important, characters). It forever changes Colin's and Hassan's lives. My favorite part of the novel is the witty, albeit oftentimes unbeknownst to the character who says it, humor, such as using fug as a tribute to Norman Mailer. I would recommend this to anyone who likes John Green. I wanted to read this last month for travel, but did not get around to it, so I decided to read it now.

The Top 10 Chicago by Eyewitness Travel

The Top 10 Chicago by Eyewitness Travel, 128 pages

If you are planning to travel to any major city, I highly recommend these little travel books.  Filled with colorful photographs, detailed maps, and travel tips, you will have everything you need to know about that city at your fingertips.  This particular one covered Chicago and highlights the must sees throughout the city.  Also interesting, inside the book are highlights of the city's memorable historic events.

Chicago Edited by Suzanne Lander

Chicago Edited by Suzanne Lander, 539 pages

Chicago, a brick book (because it is the size of a brick) contains hundreds of beautiful photographs of sites and landmarks around the city along with trivia facts and quotes by famous people.  This book was a very informative and fun book to read.  It is funny that the last picture in the book is the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile!

The Carnival at Bray by Jessie Ann Foley

The Carnival at Bray by Jessie Ann Foley-240 pages

I wanted to read this book because it was on a list to choose from for a YA course that I took in my last semester of library school. I didn't get a chance to read it then, but wanted to now, mainly because it is set in Ireland. I have been to Scotland and have had an affinity (and ancestors from) Ireland for a while now. This is the story of a teen from Chicago who moves to a small town in Ireland called Bray when her mother marries a local from Bray. It chronicles Maggie's relationships with her mom, Nanny Ei, and the rest of her family, including her Uncle Kevin. She travels to Rome to see Nirvana with Eoin, her Irish boyfriend who she falls in love with because it was her Uncle Kevin's dying wish (he left her a letter before he committed suicide). Maggie meets a local elderly man named Dan Sean O'Callaghan and visits him often during the story. It is a story of first love, finding one's place, and family and I enjoyed reading it.

City of Scoundrels: The 12 Days of Disaster that Gave Birth to Modern Chicago by Gary Krist

348 pages

Several events rocked the city of Chicago, beginning with a blimp disaster over the busy streets of Chicago.  A murder of a young girl, race riots, and political corruption followed. The main emphasis of the book was on the unethical mayor of the growing city, Bill Thompson; also known as “Big Bill.”

Brush Back by Sara Paretsky

Brush Back by Sara Paretsky - 480 pages
A V.I. Warshawski Novel (Book 17)

Another solid entry in this long running series.  Warshawski is drawn into her past when she is asked by a high school flame to investigate an age old crime.  Soon she is entangled with Chicago political bosses and trying to reclaim her family's honor.  Paretsky's gritty story telling fits perfectly in Chicago and V.I. continues to be a strong female hero for the ages.  

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson- 447 pp.

Follows the construction of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, how it changed the city of Chicago, and how the Fair allowed a serial killer to lure victims to his "Murder Palace" hotel. Written like a novel, so it doesn't feel as dry as most biographies.

Black Heart by Christina Henry

Black Heart by Christina Henry - 288 pages
Black Wings Book 6

Former Agent of Death Maddy Black fears that she is slipping to the dark side as she is continually faced with no win scenarios that lead to her inflicting death in order to prevent harm to innocents.  As her powers inherent in her birthright continue to unfurl Maddy is on the path to becoming an absolute power that is exhibiting less and less of a conscience when it comes to protecting humanity.

Black Lament by Christina Henry

Black Lament by Christina Henry - 288 pages
Black Wings Series Book 4

Agent of Death Maddy Black faces devastating personal losses but circumstances give her something to live for and protect.  She finds herself increasingly at odds with the mysterious "Agency" for whom she harvests the souls of the dead in Chicago. 

Black Howl by Christina Henry

Black Howl by Christina Henry - 288 pages
Black Wings Series Book 3

Agent of Death Madeline Black's personal problems are mounting and on top of that Chicago's dead are continuing to walk the Earth even after being given the choice to move on.  If you liked Buffy and the Dresden files, this series is for you - funny and filled with dark humor. 

Black Night by Christina Henry

Black Night by Christina Henry - 288 pages
Black Wings Series Book 2

Maddy Black, agent of death, discovers that escorting souls to the afterlife isn't her only supernatural burden due to her parentage.  Another layer of complications ensues when her companion Gabriel and her gargoyle Beezle are kidnapped.  This series is great fun urban fantasy set in Chicago. 

Black Wings by Christina Henry

Black Wings by Christina Henry - 304 pages
Black Wings Series Book 1

Maddy Black inherited the thankless job of escorting souls of those killed in Chicago to the afterlife.  She's been on her own since the age of 13 with Beezle the gargoyle as her only "family."  The supernatural complications in her life are kicked up to a whole other level when a mysterious stranger rents her downstairs apartment.  This series reminds of the Anita Blake vampire slayer books back when they actually had a plot.  Dark humor and snarkiness abound.   

Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman

Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman- 298 pgs.

This book is getting a lot of buzz right now because of the TV show based off it airing on Netflix.  Because of that and a recommendation by a friend, I decided to give it a shot.  During an adventurous time in her life, Piper Kerman became tangled with a woman who involved Kerman in the drug world.  After delivering a large amount of cash for a drug payment, Kerman got scared and left the world of drugs  and started to live a normal life. Or so she thought.  10 years later, she was arrested and sentenced to a year in federal prison.  She learned a lot about herself and others during this stay.  This was a fast and enjoyable read.  It is a very good example of how your past can come back to haunt you.

Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill

Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill - 352 pages
Chicagoland Vampires - Book 1

This is a fun, fast read that introduces Merit, a vampire changed with out consent, who is forced to navigate a new life within the vampire houses of Chicago.  Of course, there is a love / hate romance going on with her maker who is also the Master of a vampire house.  The action is strong and the characters are compelling. I am devouring the rest of the series quickly.  Be warned that there is a strong love for the Cubs displayed throughout...