Willa of the Wood by Robert Beatty {review}

Willa of the Wood
by Robert Beatty
♦publisher: Disney-Hyperion
♦released: July 10th, 2018
♦hardcover, 384 pages
♦intended audience: Middle Grade
♦series: Willa, book 1
♦source: ARC from publisher for review consideration

Move without a sound. Steal without a trace.

Willa, a young night-spirit, is her clan's best thief. She creeps into the cabins of the day-folk under cover of darkness and takes what they won't miss. It's dangerous work--the day-folk kill whatever they don't understand--but Willa will do anything to win the approval of the padaran, the charismatic leader of the Faeran people.

When Willa's curiosity leaves her hurt and stranded in the day-folk world, she calls upon the old powers of her beloved grandmother, and the unbreakable bonds of her forest allies, to escape. Only then does she begin to discover the shocking truth: that not all of her day-folk enemies are the same, and that the foundations of her own Faeran society are crumbling. What do you do when you realize that the society you were born and raised in is rife with evil? Do you raise your voice? Do you stand up against it?

As forces of unfathomable destruction encroach on her forest home, Willa must decide who she truly is, facing deadly force with warmest compassion, sinister corruption with trusted alliance, and finding a home for her longing heart.

{Becky's Thoughts}

I really enjoyed Willa of the Woods. The story moves a little slow to start out, but not necessarily in a bad way---the heavily descriptive and picturesque way the author takes the time to show Willa's world reminded me a lot of classic fiction like The Hobbit or Tuck Everlasting. I didn't read the Serafina books so I didn't have a prior connection with Willa, but I did really enjoy her brave character and magical cleverness, and the passionate way Willa connect with her home in the woods. 

After a great loss, she longs to find a place where she really feels a sense of belonging and knows she doesn't feel it with her clan. Where she does find it will have her questioning everything she ever thought she knew. There are moments of great excitement and danger and darkness mixed in with passages of a sort of quiet fascination as Willa reflects a lot on what she knows of the world and what she is learning along her journey. I was actually really surprised just how dark and violent several parts of this story were! Not quite sure I would put it in the hands of a younger middle grade reader (I know my kids would have been pretty disturbed reading this as 8 or 9 year olds!) but possibly more suited for the younger end of YA, maybe 12 or 13. However, the writing is enchanting, the plot was utterly compelling, and the messages are important ones. I will definitely find myself reaching for more Robert Beatty's work in the future. 

{ABOUT THE AUTHOR}

Robert Beatty lives in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife and three daughters, who help create and refine his stories. He loves to explore the historic Biltmore Estate and the darkened forest trails where his novels take place. He writes full-time now, but in his past lives, Beatty was one of the early pioneers of cloud computing, the founder/CEO of Plex Systems, the co-founder of Beatty Robotics, and the chairman/CTO of Narrative Magazine. In 2007, he was named an Entrepreneur of the Year. When asked about the inspiration for his books, Robert said, “The Serafina and Willa books were inspired by my desire to write about unusual and heroic young girls for my three daughters."

WEBSITE  •  TWITTER  •   INSTAGRAM

Purchase the book:  Indiebound  •  BookDepository  •  Amazon

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The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton {review}

The Belles
by Dhonielle Clayton
♦publisher: Disney-Hyperion
♦release date: Febuary 6th, 2018
♦hardcover, 448 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series: The Belles, book 1
♦source: from publisher for honest review

Camellia Beauregard is a Belle. In the opulent world of Orléans, Belles are revered, for they control Beauty, and Beauty is a commodity coveted above all else. In Orléans, the people are born gray, they are born damned, and only with the help of a Belle and her talents can they transform and be made beautiful.

But it’s not enough for Camellia to be just a Belle. She wants to be the favorite—the Belle chosen by the Queen of Orléans to live in the royal palace, to tend to the royal family and their court, to be recognized as the most talented Belle in the land. But once Camellia and her Belle sisters arrive at court, it becomes clear that being the favorite is not everything she always dreamed it would be. Behind the gilded palace walls live dark secrets, and Camellia soon learns that the very essence of her existence is a lie—that her powers are far greater, and could be more dangerous, than she ever imagined. And when the queen asks Camellia to risk her own life and help the ailing princess by using Belle powers in unintended ways, Camellia now faces an impossible decision.

With the future of Orléans and its people at stake, Camellia must decide—save herself and her sisters and the way of the Belles—or resuscitate the princess, risk her own life, and change the ways of her world forever.

{Amy's Thoughts}

 

In a story that can only be described as glittery, lavish and extravagant, The Belles is as beautiful as it was promised to be.  Exploring a world that is hidden behind the glamour of beauty, readers are thrown right into the world of opulent beauty and the lengths ones’ will go to get what they desire.  Where honeycomb dresses with live bees, and diamond encrusted hair are just the normal fashion for the palace.

 

Dhonielle Clayton’s words drop off the pages like ripe juice crushed from a pomegranate, meant to be devoured like an exquisite, fine sugary treat with rose tea, savoring each page like a delicacy.  Characters of every depth, walk of life and personal values, leave you wondering who they can trust, and who is out only for personal gain.  Clayton’s glamourous world opens the door to extravagance, in an explosion of color and raining flower petals where flamboyant fashion is most coveted.

 

Dhonielle Clayton writes with such deep emotion and description that you will not be able to help but fall right into her world, where obsession meets sacrifice.  Even with its large size, the tempo is fast-paced and compelling. Ultimately asking readers the question- What would you risk for beauty?

In this overly lavish and ostentatious world that can only be described as a  match to, Hunger Game’s Panem the fashion alone is worth reading this book for. Truly a treat for your imagination, this book is perfectly paired with a plate of pink macaroons and a large cup of tea. 

 

•ABOUT THE AUTHOR•

 

 

Dhonielle Clayton is the co-author of the Tiny Pretty Things series. She grew up in the Washington, DC suburbs on the Maryland side and spent most of her time under her grandmother’s table with a stack of books. A former teacher and middle school librarian, Dhonielle is co-founder of CAKE Literary—a creative development company whipping up decidedly diverse books for a wide array of readers—and COO of the non-profit, We Need Diverse Books. She's got a serious travel bug and loves spending time outside of the USA, but makes her home in New York City, where she can most likely be found hunting for the best slice of pizza. 

 

WEBSITE  •  TWITTER  •   INSTAGRAM

Purchase the book:  Indiebound  •  BookDepository  •  Amazon

The Best Kind of Magic by Crystal Cestari {review}

The Best Kind of Magic 
by Crystal Cestari
♦publisher: Disney-Hyperion
♦release date: May 16th, 2017
♦hardcover, 336 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series: Windy City Magic, book 1
♦source: from publisher for honest review

Amber Sand is not a witch. The Sand family Wicca gene somehow leapfrogged over her. But she did get one highly specific magical talent: she can see true love. As a matchmaker, Amber's pretty far down the sorcery food chain (even birthday party magicians rank higher), but after five seconds of eye contact, she can envision anyone's soul mate.

Amber works at her mother's magic shop--Windy City Magic--in downtown Chicago, and she's confident she's seen every kind of happy ending there is: except for one--her own. (The Fates are tricky jerks that way.) So when Charlie Blitzman, the mayor's son and most-desired boy in school, comes to her for help finding his father's missing girlfriend, she's distressed to find herself falling for him. Because while she can't see her own match, she can see his--and it's not Amber. How can she, an honest peddler of true love, pursue a boy she knows full well isn't her match?

Review: If you're in the mood for something cute and charming, a little break from all the super serious high fantasy filling the YA shelves of late, reach for The Best Kind of Magic.  This lighthearted tale of a teen matchmaker trying to survive a witch-dominated family, high school, and first love with a pretty heavy magic wrench thrown into it was just pure fun to read.

Amy Sand is just trying to get a foothold on life, but it's tough when her mother is an amazing witch, and her own power is considered pretty low on the magical hierarchy scale. She's a matchmaker, and while she loves her ability and loves bringing people together, it definitely comes with some heavy drawbacks. Like looking into the eyes of the guy she's slowly falling for and seeing his future wife. So many fun characters all throughout this story and so much great bantery dialogue--it definitely earned it's comparison to Gilmore Girls in that way!  Amber and Charlie are so fun together, and best friend Amani is brilliant and fierce and funny, too. I also really enjoyed the mother/daughter story here, it's complicated and genuine and sweet...very real despite the supernatural twist. The "mean girl" scenario was a little cliche, but with the added twist of Amber's school archenemy being a stuck-up Siren.  The world Cestari has built is interesting, with all manner of mythical being lying hidden in plain sight of our own. Witches and shapeshifters and vampires and goblins, all mixed into our everyday modern society.

As Amber and Charlie work together to find out what happened to his father's fiance, Amber opens Charlie's eyes to the magical world he's been completely oblivious to, and he inadvertently opens her eyes to the possibility that maybe the "end game" is not all there is to love and life. Also, one of my favorite perks to this story---Amber's greatest wish is to open her own bakery and she bakes delicious creations when things get rough. My kind of girl. ;)

•ABOUT THE AUTHOR•

Crystal Cestari lives just outside Chicago with her daughter. Her hobbies include avoiding broccoli and wandering the aisles at Target. She holds a master's degree in mass communication, and writes all her stories longhand. Don't miss the second book in the Windy City Magic series, coming soon! 

WEBSITE  •  TWITTER  •  INSTAGRAM  •  GOODREADS

Purchase The Best Kind of Magic:

 Indiebound   •  Amazon  •  Book Depository

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

Sweetest Kind of Fate
by Crystal Cestari

hitting shelves Feb 13th, 2018

from  Disney-Hyperion

GREAT. I’ve somehow found myself tangled up with a siren, a mermaid, and a homicidal wicked witch who once tried to strangle me to death. Way to go, Amber!

Amber Sand, legendary matchmaker, couldn’t be more surprised when her arch nemesis, Ivy, comes asking for her help. Ivy’s sister, Iris, is getting married, and Ivy wants to prove her sister is making a huge mistake. But as Amber looks into Iris's eyes, there doesn’t seem to be a problem—Iris has clearly found her match.

It seems happily ever after is in the cards, but when Iris seeks out a dangerous, life-altering spell, it’s up to Amber and Ivy to set aside their rivalry and save the day.

While Iris is willing to put everything on the line for love, Amber continues to wrestle with her own romantic future. Her boyfriend, Charlie, is still destined for another, and no matter how hard she clings to him, fear over their inevitable breakup shakes her belief system to the core.

Because the Fates are never wrong—right?

My thoughts:  So I just finished the cutest little story, called The Best Kind of Magic.  A cute love story, a plethora of mythical creatures, a snarky matchmaker, and baked goods. Seriously, adorable. My full review is coming up soon. But imagine my glee at half-way into giggling my way through this book, I discover there will be a sequel. Yay! :) 

What book are you eagerly anticipating this week? week?

WILDMAN: A Roadtrip Fueled by Supporting Libraries!!

So I want to share this awesome event going on!! Debut author J.C. Geiger, whose book WILDMAN comes out June 6th, is taking a cross-country road trip and he's made it completely interactive. He's tweeting and instagramming the whole thing. The coolest thing is that he's letting his readers control how far his adventure goes! He travels 5 miles for every pre-sale of Wildman, AND he travels 1 mile for every donation to the American Library Association---a great way to support your public libraries so you know I'm all about this idea!!  Check out the details here!

Follow along with his trip at:

THE WEBSITE   •    TWITTER   •     INSTAGRAM

•ABOUT THE BOOK & AUTHOR•

Perfect for fans of The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner, WILDMAN (On Sale June 6, 2017) follows the journey of one boy, Lance Hendricks, who thinks he knows what life has in store for him after graduation, only to uncover within himself tension between who he has been, and who he wants to be. This heartfelt debut explores the relationship between identity and place, the power of being seen, and the speed at which a well-planned life can change forever.

When Lance’s ’93 Buick breaks down in the middle of nowhere, he tells himself Don’t panic. After all, he’s valedictorian of his class. First-chair trumpet player. Scholarship winner. Nothing can stop Lance Hendricks. But the locals don’t know that. They don’t even know his name. Stuck in a small town, Lance could be anyone: a delinquent, a traveler, a maniac. One of the townies calls him Wildman, and a new world opens up.

He’s ordering drinks at a roadhouse. Jumping a train. Talking to an intriguing older girl who is asking about his future. And what he really wants. As one day blurs into the next, Lance finds himself drifting farther from home and closer to a girl who makes him feel a way he’s never felt before—like himself.

JC GEIGER has eaten the beating heart of a snake, been deported from a full-moon party, and spent a short time locked in a Bolivian prison. He also writes fiction. His short works have appeared in the pages of Murky Depths and Horror Garage, and on stage at The Second City in Chicago. J.C. now writes, teaches, directs, and performs in the Pacific Northwest, where he can often be spotted behind the wheel of a 1993 Buick Century. It still runs like a dream. Visit him online at www.jcgeiger.com and on Twitter @jcgeiger.

Good luck, J.C.! 

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

Prince in Disguise 

by Stephanie Kate Strohm

hitting shelves December 19th, 2017

from Disney-Hyperion

Someday I want to live in a place where I never hear “You’re Dusty’s sister?” ever again.
Life is real enough for Dylan—especially as the ordinary younger sister of Dusty, former Miss Mississippi and the most perfect, popular girl in Tupelo. But when Dusty wins the hand of the handsome Scottish laird-to-be Ronan on the TRC television network’s crown jewel, Prince in Disguise, Dylan has to face a different kind of reality: reality TV.

As the camera crew whisks them off to Scotland to film the lead-up to the wedding, camera-shy Dylan is front and center as Dusty’s maid of honor. The producers are full of surprises—including old family secrets, long-lost relatives, and a hostile future mother-in-law who thinks Dusty and Dylan’s family isn’t good enough for her only son. At least there’s Jamie, an adorably bookish groomsman who might just be the perfect antidote to all Dylan’s stress . . . if she just can keep TRC from turning her into the next reality show sensation.

My thoughts:  Ok, you guys know I don't read too much contemporary YA, but this sounds just too cute to pass up. I mean, Scotland, family secrets, charming bookish boy (presumably with Scottish accent! ;D).  Sounds good to me! Also, I know it says cover not final, but I hope they don't stray too far from this because it's adorable! 

What book are you eagerly anticipating this week?

Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken {review}

Wayfarer
by Alexandra Bracken
♦publisher: Disney Hyperion
♦release date: January 3rd, 2017
♦hardcover, 532 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series: Passenger, book 2 (duology)
  review of book 1, Passenger
♦source: from publisher for honest review

All Etta Spencer wanted was to make her violin debut when she was thrust into a treacherous world where the struggle for power could alter history. After losing the one thing that would have allowed her to protect the Timeline, and the one person worth fighting for, Etta awakens alone in an unknown place and time, exposed to the threat of the two groups who would rather see her dead than succeed. When help arrives, it comes from the last person Etta ever expected—Julian Ironwood, the Grand Master’s heir who has long been presumed dead, and whose dangerous alliance with a man from Etta’s past could put them both at risk.

 Meanwhile, Nicholas and Sophia are racing through time in order to locate Etta and the missing astrolabe with Ironwood travelers hot on their trail. They cross paths with a mercenary-for-hire, a cheeky girl named Li Min who quickly develops a flirtation with Sophia. But as the three of them attempt to evade their pursuers, Nicholas soon realizes that one of his companions may have ulterior motives.

As Etta and Nicholas fight to make their way back to one another, from Imperial Russia to the Vatican catacombs, time is rapidly shifting and changing into something unrecognizable… and might just run out on both of them.

Review: If there's one thing that can be said about this series, it's that it certainly is impressive. Once again, Bracken spins a historical adventurous tale with a scope so expansive and rich in detail it will leave any reader's head spinning. 

Wayfarer picks up shortly after Passenger ends. Etta and Nicholas have been separated by centuries and everyone is searching for the astrolabe, all with different intentions on what to do with it once it's found---even more so once it becomes clear exactly what the consequences might be of destroying it.  As the search intensifies, passages begin to collapse and timelines change, making the need to get it back (and out of Ironwood's hands) before all of history is irreparably damaged more desperate than ever. 

This time around, Etta has definitely acclimated to the life of a traveler, and faces down every danger and challenge that comes her way with grit, smarts, and tenacity. Someone also happens back into her life that is so important to her story, someone who will change her heart and open her eyes to emotions she's repressed her whole life, leading her to questioning her relationship with her mother and her own confidence.  A few other great new characters come into the story: Nicholas's supposedly-dead brother, Julian, is a fun addition with his brash confidence and witty remarks. It was also interesting to get more backstory on Sophia, and see her hard exterior and heart be cracked wide open by the fierce newcomer, Li-Min.  

The historical detail in this is sublime. My very favorite part of the story involved Etta getting to finally play music again and for the most humbling impressive two-person audience she could dream of. My only issue with this story is not that the book was long (I don't mind a brick of a book once in a while lol) but that at many times it felt long. And as sometimes happens with alternating view points, there are times when one side of the story and action is more compelling than the other, so when the viewpoint switches, it tends to break down the pacing a little. 

For those hoping to jump back into the swoony story of Nicholas and Etta---be prepared to have your patience tested! However, their determination to fight their way back to each other is rather romantic. The whole quest builds to an action-packed climax and a twist that I didn't see coming! It wraps up in a sweet and satisfying finale that I'm sure will satisfy even the most hopeless romantic (like myself :D).  All in all, a beautiful story and a wonderful read-worthy duology. 

~Favorite Quote~

There were nights Etta dreamed of drowning, of sinking further and further into the black heart of the sea. No one came to rescue her. 

She'd had to rescue herself.

•ABOUT THE AUTHOR•

Alexandra Bracken was born and raised in Arizona. The daughter of a Star Wars collector, she grew up going to an endless string of Star Wars conventions and toy fairs, which helped spark her imagination and a deep love of reading. After graduating high school, she attended The College of William & Mary in Virginia, where she double majored in English and History. She sold her first book, Brightly Woven, as a senior in college, and later moved to New York City to work in children's book publishing, first as an editorial assistant, then in marketing. After six years, she took the plunge and decided to write full time. She now lives in Arizona with her tiny pup, Tennyson, in a house that's constantly overflowing with books. 

Alex is a #1 New York Times bestselling and USA TODAY bestselling author. Her work is available across the world in over 15 languages. 

WEBSITE   •   TWITTER   •   INSTAGRAM

Purchase the book:   Indiebound   •   BookDepository   •   Amazon

Waiting on...

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

The Best Kind of Magic

by Crystal Cestari

hitting shelves May 16th, 2017

from Disney-Hyperion

Amber Sand is not a witch. The Sand family Wicca gene somehow leapfrogged over her. But she did get one highly specific magical talent: she can see true love. As a matchmaker, Amber's pretty far down the sorcery food chain (even birthday party magicians rank higher), but after five seconds of eye contact, she can envision anyone's soul mate.

Amber works at her mother's magic shop--Windy City Magic--in downtown Chicago, and she's confident she's seen every kind of happy ending there is: except for one--her own. (The Fates are tricky jerks that way.) So when Charlie Blitzman, the mayor's son and most-desired boy in school, comes to her for help finding his father's missing girlfriend, she's distressed to find herself falling for him. Because while she can't see her own match, she can see his--and it's not Amber. How can she, an honest peddler of true love, pursue a boy she knows full well isn't her match?

The Best Kind of Magic is set in urban Chicago and will appeal to readers who long for magic in the real world. With a sharp-witted and sassy heroine, a quirky cast of mystical beings, and a heady dose of adventure, this novel will have you laughing out loud and questioning your belief in happy endings.

My thoughts:  "Will appeal to readers who long for magic in the real world"...*raises hand*!! This looks like a fun and humorous take on witches and family and love, plus this cover is super cute! Can't wait!

What book are you eagerly anticipating this week?

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

The Suffering Tree

by Elle Cosimano

hitting shelves June 13th, 2017

from Disney-Hyperion

“It’s dark magic brings him back.”

Tori Burns and her family left D.C. for claustrophobic Chaptico, Maryland, after suddenly inheriting a house under mysterious circumstances. That inheritance puts her at odds with the entire town, especially Jesse Slaughter and his family—it’s their generations-old land the Burns have “stolen.” But none of that seems to matter after Tori witnesses a young man claw his way out of a grave under the gnarled oak in her new backyard. 

Nathaniel Bishop may not understand what brought him back, but it’s clear to Tori that he hates the Slaughters for what they did to him centuries ago. Wary yet drawn to him by a shared sense of loss, she gives him shelter. But in the wake of his arrival comes a string of troubling events—including the disappearance of Jesse Slaughter’s cousin—that seem to point back to Nathaniel.

As Tori digs for the truth—and slowly begins to fall for Nathaniel—she uncovers something much darker in the tangled branches of the Slaughter family tree. In order to break the centuries-old curse that binds Nathaniel there and discover the true nature of her inheritance, Tori must unravel the Slaughter family’s oldest and most guarded secrets. But the Slaughters want to keep them buried… at any cost.

From award-winning author Elle Cosimano comes a haunting, atmospheric thriller perfect to hand to readers of the Mara Dyer trilogy and Bone Gap.

My thoughts:  So girl meets boy when he crawls out of a grave??? Uh, yes please. Plus mysterious family histories,  small town weirdness, and dark magic. Yup, this description definitely catches my attention.  Plus I love this cover with it's gnarled tree rings and pretty teal. Very eye-catching. :)

What book are you eagerly anticipating this week?

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken {review}

Passenger
by Alexandra Bracken
♦publisher: Disney Hyperion
♦release date: January 5th, 2016
♦hardcover, 486 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series, Passenger, book 1
♦source: from publisher for magazine review
(an edited version of this review originally posted at SanDiegoBookReview.com)

passage, n.
i. A brief section of music composed of a series of notes and flourishes.
ii. A journey by water; a voyage.
iii. The transition from one place to another, across space and time.

In one devastating night, violin prodigy Etta Spencer loses everything she knows and loves. Thrust into an unfamiliar world by a stranger with a dangerous agenda, Etta is certain of only one thing: she has traveled not just miles but years from home. And she’s inherited a legacy she knows nothing about from a family whose existence she’s never heard of. Until now.

Nicholas Carter is content with his life at sea, free from the Ironwoods—a powerful family in the colonies—and the servitude he’s known at their hands. But with the arrival of an unusual passenger on his ship comes the insistent pull of the past that he can’t escape and the family that won’t let him go so easily. Now the Ironwoods are searching for a stolen object of untold value, one they believe only Etta, Nicholas’ passenger, can find. In order to protect her, he must ensure she brings it back to them— whether she wants to or not.

Together, Etta and Nicholas embark on a perilous journey across centuries and continents, piecing together clues left behind by the traveler who will do anything to keep the object out of the Ironwoods’ grasp. But as they get closer to the truth of their search, and the deadly game the Ironwoods are play­ing, treacherous forces threaten to sep­arate Etta not only from Nicholas but from her path home . . . forever.

Review: Etta Spencer is pulled into her mother’s secret family legacy. She discovers they are one of four families that can travel through the passages of time. When she is kidnapped and forced to retrieve an heirloom that her mother has hidden somewhere in time, her dangerous mission will lead her across oceans and far off lands and into worldly eye-opening experiences she never could have imagined.

Passenger is a sweeping historical journey---it feels so vast and the plot is so beautifully orchestrated. In the beginning, I did feel a little overwhelmed with the amount of backstory happening, but I was also undeniably impressed with how much research and knowledge went in to every historical detail that was woven into the story. Once the adventure and danger really kick in, (for me, this was after Etta discovers her real quest and leaves the 1800s) I found myself unable to put this one down. The romance really kept a great balance with the storyline, never overtaking Etta's real purpose to save her mother and stop the tyranny going on among the traveling families. Etta and Nicholas face challenge after challenge with a strength that they seem to spark in each other, and watching them grow closer through it all is so compelling.  I also love how she slowly discovers that things were not always what they seemed with her relationship with her mother. Music also plays a big part---not as big as I'd expected, but I loved how connected she was to her love of music.  

The tale encompasses several centuries and five cultures of intriguing characters and engaging moments in time. I loved all the time-hopping that landed the characters in familiar historical moments and the DaVinci Code-style riddle-solving as Etta cleverly works through her mothers hints to get to the next point.  These things mixed with a complicated romance and the strong theme of family and freedom are what made Passenger an absolute must-read and has me eagerly anticipated the second book!

*ABOUT THE AUTHOR*

Alexandra Bracken was born and raised in Arizona, but moved east to study at the College of William & Mary in Virginia. She now writes full time and can be found hard at work on her next novel in a charming apartment overflowing with books. You can visit her online at www.alexandrabracken.com or on Twitter (@alexbracken).

Add Passenger to Goodreads

Pre-order: Indiebound  •  BookDepository  •  Amazon

Their Fractured Light by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner {review}

Their Fractured Light 
by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
♦publisher: Disney-Hyperion
♦release date: December 1st, 2015
♦hardcover, 432 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series: Starbound Trilogy, book 3
  review of book 1, These Broken Stars
  review of book 2, This Shattered World
♦source: from publisher for honest review

A year ago, Flynn Cormac and Jubilee Chase made the now infamous Avon Broadcast, calling on the galaxy to witness for their planet, and protect them from destruction. Some say Flynn’s a madman, others whisper about conspiracies. Nobody knows the truth. A year before that, Tarver Merendsen and Lilac LaRoux were rescued from a terrible shipwreck—now, they live a public life in front of the cameras, and a secret life away from the world’s gaze.

Now, in the center of the universe on the planet of Corinth, all four are about to collide with two new players, who will bring the fight against LaRoux Industries to a head. Gideon Marchant is an eighteen-year-old computer hacker—a whiz kid and an urban warrior. He’ll climb, abseil and worm his way past the best security measures to pull off onsite hacks that others don’t dare touch.

Sofia Quinn has a killer smile, and by the time you’re done noticing it, she’s got you offering up your wallet, your car, and anything else she desires. She holds LaRoux Industries responsible for the mysterious death of her father and is out for revenge at any cost.

When a LaRoux Industries security breach interrupts Gideon and Sofia’s separate attempts to infiltrate their headquarters, they’re forced to work together to escape. Each of them has their own reason for wanting to take down LaRoux Industries, and neither trusts the other. But working together might be the best chance they have to expose the secrets LRI is so desperate to hide.

Review:  Sigh.  It's over. All done. No more wonderful adventures within this fantastic space fantasy world.  Despite my sadness at reaching the end, I really enjoyed this final installment. 

When I heard this one would be about Sophia, I was overjoyed. I loved the small bit we got to know her in This Shattered World and was excited to delve more into her story. I don't really remember Gideon from the previous book, but he was a joy to get to know and I loved the chemistry between these two. The two of them both have such faceted characters, and we get to see all their cleverness, their vulnerability, they major trust issues. And while the attraction might be there straight away, the closeness and real feelings between them develop slowly and make for some great swoony scenes. 

The first half read a little slow for me, but as a whole this story is incredibly exciting. There are some really gut-wrenching surprises and I loved seeing a few familiar faces, especially as story lines from this and the previous books start to come together. Once again we get the interjected voice of the alien "whispers" and again, while most of it is cryptic and mysterious, it helps the whole plot culminate into its final conclusions. In the end, it was their voices that brought me to tears. 

My small issue with this one was the point where this started to feel a little like a typical zombie survival story. It was really just one small part to everything that was going on, but seemed a bit ordinary and overdone in a story where everything else is unique and mind-blowing lol. One other small problem I came across was the alternating POV. For most of the story, it works beautifully and I love getting to see both sides of their story. But at the main cast got larger, it became harder to distinguish who was talking, so if I'd forgotten whose name was at the beginning of the chapter, I would sometimes get confused and have to back up a few pages. But perhaps that was just a "me" problem. :D

Despite either of these small issues, this was an incredibly exciting and fully satisfying finale to this series.  I can't wait to see these two authors working together again in the Unearthed series in 2017! 

Find Amie Kaufman online: Website  •  Twitter  •  Instagram

Find Meagan Spooner online: Website  •  Twitter  •  Tumblr

Purchase Their Fracture Light:  BookDepository  •  Indiebound  •  Amazon