Divine Rivals

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross | 357 pages | 2023

After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.
To combat her worries, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish—into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes Iris back, the two of them forge a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love.
(Synopsis from Goodreads)

Ross writes such a beautiful story, and this book is no exception. I loved the idea of writing anonymous letters back and forth, and Iris and Roman's relationship was so sweet. It's the first in a duology and I'm eager to start the next one!

Sky on Fire (Monument 14 #2), by Emmy Laybourne, 212 pages

Sky on Fire (Monument 14 #2), by Emmy Laybourne, 212 pages

Well, this was exciting- not only did I not realize that this sequel to Monument 14 had come out, when I was looking it up, I also saw that there are two short stories the author wrote as sort of prequels. Available for free here:  http://www.tor.com/stories/2012/05/dress-your-marines-in-white
and here:  http://www.tor.com/stories/2013/06/jake-and-the-other-girl

But on to the story- I was satisfied with this- the series could end with this book, as far as I'm concerned.  Some less than great things happen to several of the characters, but *spoiler alert* some families are reunited and there are a few happy endings out there.  The ending was annoying to me, though, in that same way that I knew I should have stopped reading Mike Mullin's Ashfall after the first book.

Ashen Winter, by Mike Mullin

Ashen Winter, by Mike Mullin, 576 pages

This is the sequel to Ashfall, and the second book in what should be a trilogy.  After a super-volcano in Yellowstone exploded and sent the world (but especially the Midwest) into an ash-covered nightmare, Alex survived and found his way to an uncle's farm in Illinois with the help of Darla, his more-than-a-girlfriend.  Now Alex decides it is time to find his mom and dad, who ventured back into the now-treacherous country of Iowa to find him.  Alex might find his parents, but it might be at the expense of the love of his life.

This is a thrilling read- every chapter end compels you to read "just the next chapter."  This volume is even a little scary, with a touch of McCarthy's The Road as an influence.  I would recommend for both young adults and adults.

Angelfall by Susan Ee

Angelfall  by Susan Ee --- 283 pages

This is the first book to Penryn and the End of the Days series. What a book. This is not your average angel and human book. The angels have decided to be the bringers the apocalypse because one of their own was shot down. The human's days are only numbered. Penryn then is in the middle of a very bad angel fight and saves the life of an angel (while she is thinking why am I doing this). In retaliation, the angels then take her wheelchair bound sister. Penryn then takes the angel, Raffe, "hostage" so he can take her to find her sister. While on their journey, they come into contact with a resistance army that is willing to fight back against the angels.This book is a thrilling roller coaster ride that that leaves you on the edge of your seat. You will want to read this book in one sitting.