The God of Endings by Jacqueline Holland

The God of Endings by Jacqueline Holland, 480 p.

"By turns suspenseful and enchanting, this breathtaking first novel weaves a story of love, family, history, and myth as seen through the eyes of one immortal woman

Collette LeSange is a lonely artist who heads an elite fine arts school for children in upstate New York. Her youthful beauty masks the dark truth of her life: she has endured centuries of turmoil and heartache in the wake of her grandfather’s long-ago decision to make her immortal like himself. Now in 1984, Collette finds her life upended by the arrival of a gifted child from a troubled home, the return of a stalking presence from her past, and her own mysteriously growing hunger.

Combining brilliant prose with breathtaking suspense, The God of Endings serves as a larger exploration of the human condition in all its complexity, asking us the most fundamental question: is life in this world a gift or a curse?"--Goodreads blurb

Collette LeSange is a solitary private preschool teacher and artist with a dangerous secret. Her long and storied life is explored alongside a thrilling storyline about a student,, Max, whom she has grown exceptionally fond of. We go through isolation, wars, grief, and love with Collette all while anticipating the thrilling conclusion to her and Max's story.

This beautifully-debut novel was many things at once: historical fiction, paranormal fiction, thriller, tragedy, and horror. The writing was immersive and at times poetic, and the wonderful narration by Maarleveld just heightened the overall feel of the words.

 

Island of Glass by Nora Roberts

Island of Glass by Nora Roberts - 339 pages
The Guardians Trilogy #3

The six Guardians have found the first two fallen stars. Now they must find the final star -- The Star of Ice -- hidden somewhere in Ireland.  This is the most difficult for Doyle as it's his first time home to Ireland since his parents died 300 years ago.  He must break down emotional barriers he's kept erected for centuries to find this final star and defeat evil for all time.

This is the final book in the Guardians Trilogy.  It focuses on the final two Guardians -- immortal Doyle and werewolf Riley.  The book moves very quickly.  The ending is almost anti-climatic as it comes too quickly and easily.  Still, I enjoyed the reading the series and this was a good ending book.

Hollow Fields by Madeleine Rosca

Hollow Fields by Madeleine Rosca - 544 pages

Lucy Snow is on her way to her new boarding school when she gets lost in the woods.  She believes she has stumbled her way there but in reality it is Miss Weaver's Academy for the Scientifically Gifted and Ethically Unfettered -- also known as Hollow Fields.  It seems to be a great school at first with huge private rooms and scrumptious meals prepared to order.  But there is a downside . . . it's a school for mad scientists and every week the student with the lowest grades is sent to detention and never returns.

This was an interesting graphic novel.  I'm a little confused as to the intended audience.  The main character is a 9 year old girl who seems very young, however, I would think the storyline is more for teens.  It was interesting enough to finish the book but probably isn't one I would recommend too often.

The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston; narrated by Marisa Calin, 305 p.

We meet Bess in 1628, running in terror from the witch hunters of Wessex. They do find a witch, and Bess watches as her mother swings from the Hanging Tree. The only person that can help Bess now is the warlock Gideon Masters. But does he have good intentions?

We follow Bess, now Elizabeth, to present-day England, where she has made a quiet life for herself. Will Tegan, a teenager that has taken a liking to Elizabeth, learn the ways of the witch? Will Gideon Masters, ever searching for "his Bess" find Elizabeth through the ages? 

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare - 535 pages
The Mortal Instruments - Book 5

Jace has disappeared and seems to be working with Sebastian.  Even worse, they are tied together so that what hurts one hurts the other.  Clary must use all her resources and smarts to save Jace and stop Sebastian.

This is the fifth book of The Mortal Instruments series.  It definitely kicked up the suspense and evil.  A great addition to the series.

Zombie Powder, vol. 1 by Tite Kubo

Zombie Powder, vol. 1 by Tite Kubo - 208 pages

Elwood has been picking pockets to try to get enough money for his sister's medical treatments.  After his sister is killed when the local gang thinks he is holding out on them, Elwood hooks up with Gamma, the most notorious bounty hunter in the world.  They set out to find the Rings that allow people to either come back from the dead or to become immortal.
This is Tite Kubo's first manga work.  I enjoy his Bleach series so I thought I would check out this one.  The first volume is enjoyable although it is pretty much as Kubo describes it as continuous fight scenes with breaks to pause as they move from town to town.