The Rise of Kyoshi by F.C. Yee with Michael Dante DiMartino

F. C. Yee’s The Rise of Kyoshi delves into the story of Kyoshi, the Earth Kingdom–born Avatar. The longest-living Avatar in this beloved world’s history, Kyoshi established the brave and respected Kyoshi Warriors, but also founded the secretive Dai Li, which led to the corruption, decline, and fall of her own nation. The first of two novels based on Kyoshi, The Rise of Kyoshi maps her journey from a girl of humble origins to the merciless pursuer of justice who is still feared and admired centuries after she became the Avatar.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41104164-the-rise-of-kyoshi

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

For those who are Avatar the Last Airbender fans, this book is definitely for you! We have finally returned to the Avatar World and let me tell you, Yee does an excellent job diving into that world and doing it justice to what Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko created. He brings us back to the beginning of Avatar Kyoshi's life. The world believed the next Avatar was someone else, but the truth is revealed and it a shocker for Kyoshi. Kyoshi has always been this strong and scary figure when it comes to being the Avatar. We had seen her on the show and my first thought was always she was just pure strength and steel. We get to see how that begins. How her sense of justice is created and how certain events have shaped her life. It's fun to see the world of Avatar so early on. We know Kyoshi lived to be over 200 years old. Then there was Avatar Roku, who lived to be somewhere in his 70s I believe. Then there was Aang's birth and he was 12 before entering the ice for another century. The time gap is pretty big between Aang and Kyoshi. Still, you'll laugh and reminisce on the familiar places and names that appear in the story. To see how important they are in history. We also learn for about Avatar Kuruk, how his actions have shaped the world and who shaped him. A truly great story that is only just beginning. Yee has truly done an excellent job of preserving what we love about the Avatar World and I am glad he had DiMartino to guide him and back him up.  

Beyond a Darkened Shore by Jessica Leake

The ancient land of Éirinn is mired in war. Ciara, Princess of Mide, has never known a time when Éirinn’s kingdoms were not battling for power, or Northmen were not plundering their shores. 

The people of Mide have thankfully always been safe because of Ciara’s unearthly ability to control her enemies’ minds and actions. But lately, a mysterious crow has been appearing to Ciara, whispering warnings of an even darker threat. Although her clansmen dismiss her visions as pagan nonsense, Ciara fears this coming evil will destroy not just Éirinn, but the entire world. 

Then the crow leads Ciara to Leif, a young Northman leader. Leif should be Ciara’s enemy, but when Ciara discovers that he, too, shares her prophetic visions, she knows he’s something more. Leif is mounting an impressive army, and with Ciara’s strength in battle the two might have a chance to save their world. 

With evil rising around them, they’ll do what it takes to defend the land they love…even if it means making the greatest sacrifice of all. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32295486-beyond-a-darkened-shore

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

A mix of Norse and Celtic mythology? Of course I'm gonna read it and love it! Beyond a Darkened Shore follows unlikely allies Ciara and Leif as they work together to fight a common enemy. Though our heroine has a bit of an unusual gift. She has the ability to control one's mind. She learns to master her abilities as her and Leif travel to gather an army to defend their homes. They face many monsters and even gods in their journey. And of course, fall in love as the story goes on. I really enjoyed the myths and adventures in this one. Our main characters were strong heroes who never backed down and fought with everything they had. It had a little bit of everything that I look for in a story and definitely had me interested, beginning to end! 

A Storm Runner Novel Book 2: The Fire Keeper by J.C. Cervantes

A Storm Runner Novel Book 2

Zane Obispo's new life on a beautiful secluded tropical island, complete with his family and closest friends, should be perfect. But he can't control his newfound fire skills yet (inherited from his father, the Maya god Hurakan); there's a painful rift between him and his dog ever since she became a hell hound; and he doesn't know what to do with his feelings for Brooks. One day he discovers that by writing the book about his misadventures with the Maya gods, he unintentionally put other godborn children at risk. Unless Zane can find the godborns before the gods do, they will be killed. To make matters worse, Zane learns that Hurakan is scheduled to be executed. Zane knows he must rescue him, no matter the cost. Can he accomplish both tasks without the gods detecting him, or will he end up a permanent resident of the underworld?

In this cleverly plotted sequel to The Storm Runner, the gang is back together again with spirited new characters, sneaky gods, unlikely alliances, and secrets darker than Zane could ever have imagined. Secrets that will change him forever.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39894046-the-fire-keeper

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Got an advanced reader copy of this book and super glad I did! I remember reading the first one and being super surprised by how much I loved it and how I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second book. And now that I got it early and got to read it, so happy! It was a great follow up to the first one. With more Maya gods, Zane and his friends, and lots of crazy adventures. Zane has two missions but only a few days to accomplish both. Rescue his dad or save the other godborns. It's not an easy choice. His dad risked everything for Zane and now he is paying the price and Zane thought he was helping other godborns realize who they are, but instead painted a target on their back. He needs to fix both of these things and to do it will require lots of surprises. Specifically trusting the last person he would ever want to trust. Great, great story. Cannot wait for book three. 

I received an ARC. 

Wicked Series Book 3.6: The King by Jennifer L. Armentrout

A Wicked Series Book 3.6

From #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes the next installment in her Wicked series.

As Caden and Brighton's attraction grows despite the odds stacked against a happily ever after, they must work together to stop an Ancient fae from releasing the Queen, who wants nothing more than to see Caden become the evil Prince once feared by fae and mortals alike.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43079524-the-king

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

When I read The Prince last year, I was like awesome! Continuing a series I loved, so nice to have a follow up. Then I read it and was like well that ended with a cliffhanger definitely gonna be a follow up and we'll wrap this story up. There was a follow up all right. Is the story over? Uhm, hell no. The King left with another damn cliffhanger and after the way that story went down, just holy crow, the next one needs to be in my hands right now. Cause there is definitely more to Brighton and Caden's story and I need it right this second. The King was so good! After The Prince ended on that shocking twist, we are back a little after it left off. Brighton's heart is smashed but she is still determined to track down the Ancient who killed her mother, despite Caden's protests. It reaches a point where he will do whatever it takes to stop Brighton, because even though he broke her heart before, we all know it wasn't done lightly and most likely to protect her from the realities of what being King means. And p.s. we are right. But things don't get well for Brighton in this story, when the unexpected happens, Brighton proves her strength as she struggles to survive. And like I said, a major cliffhanger ending in more ways than one and like I said, I need the next one right now. Great, great story. I loved the Wicked series and I can't wait to see where the next book takes us. 

I received an ARC for an honest review. 

The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh

The Beautiful Book 1

New York Times bestselling author Renée Ahdieh returns with a sumptuous, sultry and romantic new series set in 19th century New Orleans where vampires hide in plain sight.

In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans provides her a refuge after she's forced to flee her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent along with six other girls, Celine quickly becomes enamored with the vibrant city from the music to the food to the soirées and—especially—to the danger. She soon becomes embroiled in the city's glitzy underworld, known as La Cour des Lions, after catching the eye of the group's leader, the enigmatic Sébastien Saint Germain. When the body of one of the girls from the convent is found in the lair of La Cour des Lions, Celine battles her attraction to him and suspicions about Sébastien's guilt along with the shame of her own horrible secret.

When more bodies are discovered, each crime more gruesome than the last, Celine and New Orleans become gripped by the terror of a serial killer on the loose—one Celine is sure has set her in his sights . . . and who may even be the young man who has stolen her heart. As the murders continue to go unsolved, Celine takes matters into her own hands and soon uncovers something even more shocking: an age-old feud from the darkest creatures of the underworld reveals a truth about Celine she always suspected simmered just beneath the surface.

At once a sultry romance and a thrilling murder mystery, master storyteller Renée Ahdieh embarks on her most potent fantasy series yet: The Beautiful. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42265183-the-beautiful

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

What can be better than reading a story that takes place in New Orleans? Where you are guaranteed to read about the paranormal and all it entails. I love Renée Ahdieh's books and now she was taken her amazing writing skills and brought us to the Crescent City where vampires dwell. We follow Celine Rousseau as she flees from Paris and arrives in New Orleans to start again. Her timing isn't that great however. Young women are being murdered by some creature in the night and soon Celine finds herself being hunted as well. And if that isn't enough she finds herself attracted to the leader of the La Cour des Lions. Bastien does what he can to scare away Celine, but he can't deny the attraction he feels for Celine anymore than she can. Her wit, her strength, and her willingness to never back down to him makes her a worthy equal. But even has they fall in love, there is still a murderer stalking New Orleans and Celine will not become prey. She is determined to find the truth, no matter the cost. Really great book! Looking forward to the next one in this series. And I'm super glad I had a chance to get my hands on an early copy of this one! If you like Renée Ahdieh's other books, this one will not let you down! 

I received an ARC. 

A Stormheart Novel Book 2: Rage by Cora Carmack

A Stormheart Novel Book 2

Princess or adventurer.

Duty or freedom.

Her Kingdom or the Stormhunter she loves.

If Aurora knows anything, it's that choices have consequences. To set things right, she joins a growing revolution on the streets of Pavan. 

In disguise as the rebel Roar, she puts her knowledge of the palace to use to aid the rebellion. But the Rage season is at its peak and not a day passes without the skies raining down destruction. Yet these storms are different—they churn with darkness, and attack with a will that’s desperate and violent. 

This feels like more than rage. 

It feels like war.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35677535-rage

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Finally got my hands on this book! It is an ARC but I will take it since I have been waiting for book two since I finished book one when it came out in 2017. Wow! Forgot how much I loved this world. I will admit I should have re-read the first book before diving into this one, but my mind quickly connected the dots and remembered who was who and where it left off. Rage was so good! The truth it out and now Aurora is facing the consequences of having lied for so long. But it isn't as bad as it could have been. Sure, there is tension for a while but Aurora knows she cannot abandon her home. She joins the rebellion to take it back. More adventures, more magic, more of everything the last book had. And of course, more of Aurora and Kiran. I went into this book thinking it was the last one. Wrong! Cliffhanger ending. There is definitely another book coming and I cannot wait for it to come out! 

I received an ARC.

Call It What You Want by Brigid Kemmerer

When his dad is caught embezzling funds from half the town, Rob goes from popular lacrosse player to social pariah. Even worse, his father’s failed suicide attempt leaves Rob and his mother responsible for his care. 

Everyone thinks of Maegan as a typical overachiever, but she has a secret of her own after the pressure got to her last year. And when her sister comes home from college pregnant, keeping it from her parents might be more than she can handle.

When Rob and Maegan are paired together for a calculus project, they’re both reluctant to let anyone through the walls they’ve built. But when Maegan learns of Rob’s plan to fix the damage caused by his father, it could ruin more than their fragile new friendship...

This captivating, heartfelt novel asks the question: Is it okay to do something wrong for the right reasons?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40653162-call-it-what-you-want

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

What I love about Brigid Kemmerer's YA contemporary books is the characters. They are always they complex beautifully written characters that you find yourself becoming attached to right in the beginning. They are complicated and have these pasts and current problems that are real. Their reactions are real. They can be harsh and gritty but it just makes the story better because you want to find out what happens to them. To see if they can find their way out of difficult circumstances and find happiness. In Call It What You Want we have Rob and Maegan. Rob is living with the fact that his father tried to commit suicide and failed because he was caught embezzling money. Now everyone looks at Rob like it is his fault. That his father's sins are his own. Meanwhile, Maegan is paying the price for cracking under pressure and attempting to cheat on her SATs the year before. Now everyone looks at her and calls her a cheater. It was one mistake and one that she punishes herself for every day. And now her sister has returned home from college pregnant, and the secrets she shares with Maegan is another form of pressure she doesn't think she can handle. When Maegan and Rob are thrown together for a school project, they realize how lonely they are and that having someone to talk to and be with may be okay. Drama, secrets, everything that comes with high school and a lot more. I loved this story. There were plenty of plot twists that kept you on your toes and like I said earlier I was compelled to find out if these two characters could find their way. Great story!

Cursebreakers Book 2: A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer

Cursebreakers Book 2

In the sequel to New York Times bestselling A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Brigid Kemmerer returns to the world of Emberfall in a lush fantasy where friends become foes and love blooms in the darkest of places.

Find the heir, win the crown. 

The curse is finally broken, but Prince Rhen of Emberfall faces darker troubles still. Rumors circulate that he is not the true heir and that forbidden magic has been unleashed in Emberfall. Although Rhen has Harper by his side, his guardsman Grey is missing, leaving more questions than answers.

Win the crown, save the kingdom. 

Rumored to be the heir, Grey has been on the run since he destroyed Lilith. He has no desire to challenge Rhen--until Karis Luran once again threatens to take Emberfall by force. Her own daughter Lia Mara sees the flaws in her mother’s violent plan, but can she convince Grey to stand against Rhen, even for the good of Emberfall?

The heart-pounding, compulsively readable saga continues as loyalties are tested and new love blooms in a kingdom on the brink of war. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42952728-a-heart-so-fierce-and-broken

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

So thankful I was able to get my hands on an ARC of this book, because the thought of waiting until January would have been torture! This follow up to A Curse So Dark and Lonely was fantastic. With the cliffhanger from the previous book I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. This book follows Grey and the aftermath of learning who his father was. We watch him struggle with keeping the secret of who he is from Rhen and he goes as far as to hide from Rhen and Harper. But he can't hide forever. He is found and brought back to Ironcastle. He thinks he is protecting Rhen but Rhen is still suffering from the aftermath of Lilith. So the thought of someone out there with magic and the rightful heir, it leaves him making decisions that will tear his friendship with Rhen. Grey's journey isn't easy. He has to figure out who he is now that he is not the Commander and an enemy of sorts to Rhen. Our heroine in this story is Lia Mara. Her only goal is peace between her people of Syhl Shallow and Emberfall. But with her cruel mother as queen and a younger sister who has been selected as heir, peace is harder to achieve. Lia Mara is punished for being merciful, she does not wish for violence and that is exactly how the current queen of Syhl Shallow works. But Lia Mara is stronger than she believes. Her love for her people and the persistence of finding peace is what makes her strong. When Grey and Lia Mara are thrown together in their journeys, they will both find the strength to learn who they are and decide for themselves. Their story is great and the book in general was such a satisfying sequel. The ending once again left us in a cliffhanger and how this series will conclude will be one crazy ride!

I received an ARC.