A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

It’s 2002, a year after 9/11. It’s an extremely turbulent time politically, but especially so for someone like Shirin, a sixteen-year-old Muslim girl who’s tired of being stereotyped.

Shirin is never surprised by how horrible people can be. She’s tired of the rude stares, the degrading comments—even the physical violence—she endures as a result of her race, her religion, and the hijab she wears every day. So she’s built up protective walls and refuses to let anyone close enough to hurt her. Instead, she drowns her frustrations in music and spends her afternoons break-dancing with her brother.

But then she meets Ocean James. He’s the first person in forever who really seems to want to get to know Shirin. It terrifies her—they seem to come from two irreconcilable worlds—and Shirin has had her guard up for so long that she’s not sure she’ll ever be able to let it down. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38720939-a-very-large-expanse-of-sea

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Brilliant. Absolutely fantastic. I loved this book and the moment I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. I was immediately drawn into the story and the characters. Loved Shirin. Loved Ocean. A favorite author of mine, Sabaa Tahir, read the book and reviewed it saying, "One of the best contemporary books I've ever read, and hands-down the best YA on what it means to be a Muslim American post 9/11. Tahereh Mafi pulls no punches, spares no feelings and tells the absolute truth and it is beautiful, rare and heartbreaking. If there's one book you read this year, make it this one." And I agree with her a hundred percent. Mafi is a fantastic writer. And her characters are always ones you can't help but feel drawn to. I can't even formulate the words to express how powerful this book was and how much I loved it. Blown away. Beautiful book. If you haven't read it, you need to. 

The Guardians Book 5: Jack Frost the End Becomes the Beginning by William Joyce

The Guardians Book 5

The Guardians' powers are given the ultimate test as they journey to the moon itself in this fifth and final chapter book adventure of an epic series from William Joyce.

The Guardians came together to protect the childhoods of all who dream, and they are a formidable team: Nicholas St. North, E. Aster Bunnymund, Toothiana, the Sandman, Nightlight, and Katherine have thus far prevented Pitch from fulfilling his nightmarish plans.

But Pitch and his nightmare men lurk on the fringes, gathering strength, stewing in hate, and the Guardians know their guard needs one more member if they are going to vanquish Pitch for all eternity. And once they find the last in their band, they'll travel to the secret realm of the Man in the Moon, encounter armies of Moonbots, and face the greatest battle since the Golden Age; and that is just the beginning of this grand conclusion to a series most grand.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18668504-jack-frost

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

The final book of the Guardians series and it was the one I was patiently waiting for! We finally learn the origin of Jack Frost. And how the beloved character Nightlight became him. A lot of time has passed since the previous book. Nightlight disappeared and Jack Frost emerged and found his way back to the Guardians. Though he has changed from his time as Nightlight, a lot is still the same, like his connection to Katherine. A beautifully told story of how Nightlight became Jack Frost, Katherine's point of view of her friend, and the conclusion of their long battle against Pitch Black. Pitch has returned and seeks to end Jack Frost once and for all, the key to defeating him is in their memories. The book is filled with beautiful illustrations and a story that makes the long wait well worth it! 

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - The Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling

Fantastic Beasts Book 2

J.K. Rowling’s five-film Fantastic Beasts adventure series continues with the original screenplay for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

At the end of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald was captured in New York with the help of Newt Scamander. But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escapes custody and sets about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.

In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore enlists Newt, his former Hogwarts student, who agrees to help once again, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

This second original screenplay from J.K. Rowling, illustrated with stunning line art from MinaLima, expands on earlier events that helped shape the wizarding world, with some surprising nods to the Harry Potter stories that will delight fans of both the books and films.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39331761-fantastic-beasts

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I loved the second book of Fantastic Beasts. And when it comes to this series, I will say that watching the movie first then reading the book is the way to go. (And I will never say that otherwise.) The reason I say it now, is because the movies are always so fantastic. And I didn't want to the book the spoil it. And after watching the movie then reading the screenplay, I was able to picture the movie in my head again and catch things that I may have missed in the movie at the time. This second installment was really fantastic. Lots of new secrets were revealed and the plot twists were absolutely insane! I loved the return of some favorite characters like Newt, Tina, and Jacob. And I loved our new ones, Theseus, Leta, and Nagini. And of course, I loved younger Dumbledore. In this books Grindelwald is free and the war that is coming is only just beginning. I'm very excited to see where this series goes. 

Shifters Unbound Series Book 11.75: A Shifter Christmas Carol by Jennifer Ashley

Shifters Unbound Book 11.75

Dylan Morrissey forgoes the Shifters’ traditional Yule celebration, to his family’s dismay. Instead, he joins Ben at the haunted house in New Orleans, planning to meet with potential, if dangerous, allies in the Shifters’ constant struggle for freedom. 

But the sentient house has other ideas. Dylan wakes up—or rather doesn’t—unable to move or speak, and is taken on a journey to the past, present, and future. 

Ben, Zander, and Tiger are his guides, but is what they are showing him truth? 

Return to Shiftertown for a Shifters Unbound take on a classic Christmas tale!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43117495-a-shifter-christmas-carol

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I really loved getting back into the Shifter world! I didn't realize how much I missed the series! Even if this one was a short novella. I'm super looking forward to the next full length novel. This was super cool because we finally got something in Dylan's point of view and i don't think we have had something in his point of view, and if we have it's been a while.This was a nice novella because it was not only a cute Christmas story, but we got some important information around Dylan. As well as Dylan finally realizing that he cannot take on this Shifter War alone. He needs to rely on his family and accept that working with his family is better than those who are more dangerous and untrustworthy. It was truly an eye opening experience for Dylan and I can't wait for when he gets his own full length novel. 

The Dark Artifices Book 3: Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare

The Dark Artifices Book 3

Dark secrets and forbidden love threaten the very survival of the Shadowhunters in Cassandra Clare’s Queen of Air and Darkness, the final novel in the #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling The Dark Artifices trilogy.

What if damnation is the price of true love?

Innocent blood has been spilled on the steps of the Council Hall, the sacred stronghold of the Shadowhunters. In the wake of the tragic death of Livia Blackthorn, the Clave teeters on the brink of civil war. One fragment of the Blackthorn family flees to Los Angeles, seeking to discover the source of the blight that is destroying the race of warlocks. 

Meanwhile, Julian and Emma take desperate measures to put their forbidden love aside and undertake a perilous mission to Faerie to retrieve the Black Volume of the Dead. What they find in the Courts is a secret that may tear the Shadow World asunder and open a dark path into a future they could never have imagined. Caught in a race against time, Emma and Julian must save the world of Shadowhunters before the deadly power of the parabatai curse destroys them and everyone they love.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36538785-queen-of-air-and-darkness

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

By the Angel this book was so insane and really, really fantastic. So much happened it is no wonder the book is 900 pages. But every moment was amazing and brilliant. There was nothing disappointing about this book. Filled with twists and turns, heart breaks and moments of love, hints of the future, and so much more. We were given so much more than I thought would be possible. Everyone told a part in this story and I loved that. No one was missed. It picks up immediately where the last one ended and everyone has to find a way to deal with their grief, the consequences of Annabel Blackthorn, and the extremists in the Shadowhunter ranks that are causing chaos and destruction. And if that wasn't bad, Emma and Julian are still trying to figure out how to stop the parabatai curse. And boy the results with that curse were insane!! Every moment of this book was a page turner. I read so quickly, determined to find out what would happen. I'm always so afraid to read these books because they are so unpredictable and I love all the characters and to see anything bad happen to them would be so heartbreaking. But as soon as I dive back into the Shadowhunter world, I remember all the things I love about it and I am eager to read it and for all the new ones to come out. And with this ending the Wicked Powers series is going to be insane and I am going to be so impatient for it to come out! I don't want to spoil anything, this is one book you don't want to be spoiled. Amazing book. 

Night Prince Novel Book 4: Into the Fire by Jeaniene Frost

Night Prince Novel Book 4

In the explosive finale to New York Times bestselling author Jeaniene Frost’s Night Prince series, Vlad is in danger of losing his bride to an enemy whose powers might prove greater than the Prince of Vampire’s…. 

In the wrong hands, love can be a deadly weapon.

For nearly six hundred years, Vlad Tepesh cared for nothing, so he had nothing to lose. His brutal reputation ensured that all but the most foolhardy stayed away. Now falling in love with Leila has put him at the mercy of his passions. And one adversary has found a devastating way to use Vlad’s new bride against him.

A powerful spell links Leila to the necromancer Mircea. If he suffers or dies, so does she. Magic is forbidden to vampires, so Vlad and Leila enlist an unlikely guide as they search for a way to break the spell. But an ancient enemy lies in wait, capable of turning Vlad and Leila’s closest friends against them…and finally tearing the lovers apart forever. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23586994-into-the-fire

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

A great conclusion to this series and it was even better than the first time I read it. I truly believe that you need all the books from the Night Huntress Universe to truly enjoy and appreciate everything that happened in this book. Old characters return and new problems to solve. This epic conclusion has Vlad and Leila fighting against necromancers and find a way to break the spell that links  Leila and Mircea. Ups and downs, lots of plot twists, action, romance, and a bright path to the next set of books to come. This was a great one in the series. 

Night Huntress Series Book 7.5: Outtakes from the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Night Huntress Series Book 7.5

Cat and Bones fans, sink your teeth into this new outtakes compilation from New York Times bestselling author Jeaniene Frost! 

Indulge your love of paranormal super couple Cat and Bones with this ultimate “director’s cut” collection of deleted scenes and alternate versions from the first four novels in the Night Huntress series, complete with author commentary on each selection. Includes: the original beginnings of Halfway to the Grave, One Foot in the Grave, At Grave’s End, and Destined for an Early Grave: a chapter written in Bones’s point of view; alternate versions of sections of Halfway to the Grave, One Foot in the Grave, and Destined for an Early Grave; the “white wedding” scene between Cat and Bones that never made it into the final books…and much more!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28363316-outtakes-from-the-grave

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

A collection of delete scenes and alternate versions of the first four books of the Night Huntress series and wow, were they something. There were somethings in there that I am glad weren't in the final cut of the book. I think it was a good call to pull it out but I loved reading these scenes anyway. There were also a lot of scenes that I wish appeared in the book and didn't, like Cat and Bones having a human wedding. That was definitely neat to read. If you love the series, definitely check this out. It is so interesting to read how some of the books could have went. And though, like I said, I am glad there were details and scenes that didn't happen, it was super interested to read and get Jeaniene Frost's thoughts on the first four books. I totally want it for the last three books in the series. Plus something for the spin-offs as well! I'm so glad this book exists because I can't even recall the amount of series that I wished something like this existed for them.