Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen

Eighteen-year-old Aihui Ying dreams of becoming a world-class engineer like her father, but after his sudden murder, her life falls apart. Left with only a journal of her father’s engineering secrets and a jade pendant snatched from the assassin, a heartbroken Ying follows the trail to the capital and the prestigious Engineers Guild—a place that harbors her father’s hidden past—determined to discover why anyone would threaten a man who ultimately chose a quiet life over fame and fortune.

Disguised as her brother, Ying manages to infiltrate the guild’s male-only apprenticeship trial with the help of an unlikely ally—Aogiya Ye-yang, the taciturn eighth prince of the High Command. With her father’s renown placing a target firmly on her back, Ying must stay one step ahead of her fellow competitors, the jealous guild masters, and the killer still hunting for her father’s journal. Complicating everything is her increasingly tangled relationship with the prince, who may have mysterious plans of his own.

The secrets concealed within the guild can be as deadly as the weapons they build—and with her life and the future of her homeland at stake, Ying doesn’t know who to trust. Can she avenge her father even if it means going against everything he stood for, or will she be next in the mastermind’s line of fire?

Hardcover, 466 pages

Published June 1, 2024

 by Viking Books for Young Readers

4/5 stars

This was a recent OwlCrate book box selection. I went in totally blind, but how can one go wrong with a dragon on the cover. I love the owl crate cover but gotta say I like the other cover available, see images below.

For 18 year-old Aihui, her life is shattered with the death of her father. She saw the murderer escape and has now setout to discover the identity of the assassin and the why.  There is nothing in his past to give her a clue why this happened.  Disguising as her brother she manages to get into a guild to learn more about her father‘s past where she discovers secrets that he had been hiding.

This is the first book in the Fall of the Dragon series, which, as we know with series, the first book doesn't usually answer all of our questions. There was a lot going on, not just dragons. There is STEM content, along with mystery, betrayal, and of course a little touch of romance. 

I enjoyed this book. I found it intriguing with the world building, it was mysterious as to her father‘s unknown past, the secrets within the journal he wanted her to destroy and why someone would kill this man who was just quietly living with his family.

Book 2, The Blood Phoenix, comes out in June and I will continue this series.

This book was part of my 2024 reading off my shelf challenge.

Castle of the Cursed by Romina Garber

A delicious and dark gothic romance from bestselling author Romina Garber!

THE HOUSE IS ALWAYS HUNGRY…

After a mysterious attack claims the lives of her parents, all Estela has left is her determination to solve the case. Suffering from survivor’s guilt so intense that she might be losing her grip on reality, she accepts an invitation to live overseas with an estranged aunt at their ancestral Spanish castle, la Sombra.

Beneath its gothic façade, la Sombra harbors a trove of family secrets, and Estela begins to suspect her parents’ deaths may be linked to their past. Her investigation takes a supernatural turn when she crosses paths with a silver-eyed boy only she can see. Estela worries Sebastián is a hallucination, but he claims he’s been trapped in the castle. They grudgingly team up to find answers and as their investigation ignites, so does a romance, mistrust twined with every caress.

As the mysteries pile up, it feels to Estela like everyone in the tiny town of Oscuro is lying and that whoever was behind the attack has followed her to Spain. The deeper she ventures into la Sombra’s secrets, the more certain she becomes that the suspect she’s chasing has already found her . . . and they’re closer than she ever realized.

Hardcover, 310 pages

Published August 1, 2024

 by Wednesday Books

2.5/5 stars

I received this book in a recent Owlcrate Box.I have mixed feelings about this special edition cover and that feeling flowed right in the story as well.

Starting with the dramatic death of her parents, 17 year old Estela is finally united with a distance relative, a relative she didn't even know existed. Moving to Spain sets in motion a series of events that makes her question the past she knew nothing about.

This was an interesting plot, it was intricately woven for the first 75 pages or so. But then the vibe changed, the pacing slowed down or went too fast, at times I was confused. Even the characters had trouble holding my attention. The blurb sounds really good, I'm disappointed I didn't enjoy this one more.  

This book was part of my 2024 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge

Sisters of the Snake by Sarena & Sasha Nanua

A lost princess. A dark puppet master. And a race against time—before all is lost.

Princess Rani longs for a chance to escape her gilded cage and prove herself. Ria is a street urchin, stealing just to keep herself alive.

When these two lives collide, everything turns on its head: because Ria and Rani, orphan and royal, are unmistakably identical.

A deal is struck to switch places—but danger lurks in both worlds, and to save their home, thief and princess must work together. Or watch it all fall into ruin.

Deadly magic, hidden temples, and dark prophecies: Sisters of the Snake is an action-packed, immersive fantasy that will thrill fans of The Crown’s Game and The Tiger at Midnight.

Hardcover, 512 pages

Published June 15, 2021

 by Harper Teen

4/5 stars

This is one of my Owlcrate books. I cancelled my subscription this year so I could spend time getting caught up reading those I received last year.

With Sisters of the Snake I love that the authors are twins and that twins are central in this book - the snakes not so much. But I have to say by the end these slithering creatures grew on me.

Picture The Parent Trap in a fantasy realm, one a princess and the other an orphaned street thief. The story was unique, entertaining with nice world building. Each chapter alternated between Rani and Ria POV, flowing at a nice pace. Though fantasy isn't really my thing I have enjoyed the books I received from Owlcrate.  The stories leave me with something to walk away with and expand my reading horizon. This book was rounded out nicely with a cast of characters that enhanced the story, which was mysterious, magical and a pleasure to read.

This book comes in just over 500 pages, a nice size to really get to know the characters, get a lay of the land, so to speak and to also prepare for the sequel. Daughters of the Dawn releases 9/06/22

This book was part of my 2022 Reading Off My Shelf Challenger (#25)

This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron

Darkness blooms in bestselling author Kalynn Bayron's new contemporary fantasy about a girl with a unique and deadly power.

Briseis has a gift: she can grow plants from tiny seeds to rich blooms with a single touch.

When Briseis's aunt dies and wills her a dilapidated estate in rural New York, Bri and her parents decide to leave Brooklyn behind for the summer. Hopefully there, surrounded by plants and flowers, Bri will finally learn to control her gift. But their new home is sinister in ways they could never have imagined--it comes with a specific set of instructions, an old-school apothecary, and a walled garden filled with the deadliest botanicals in the world that can only be entered by those who share Bri's unique family lineage.

When strangers begin to arrive on their doorstep, asking for tinctures and elixirs, Bri learns she has a surprising talent for creating them. One of the visitors is Marie, a mysterious young woman who Bri befriends, only to find that Marie is keeping dark secrets about the history of the estate and its surrounding community. There is more to Bri's sudden inheritance than she could have imagined, and she is determined to uncover it . . . until a nefarious group comes after her in search of a rare and dangerous immortality elixir. Up against a centuries-old curse and the deadliest plant on earth, Bri must harness her gift to protect herself and her family.

From the bestselling author of Cinderella Is Dead comes another inspiring and deeply compelling story about a young woman with the power to conquer the dark forces descending around her.

Hardcover, 370 pages

Published January 1, 2021 

by Bloomsbury

5/5 stars

I finished reading The Poison Heart this morning and I miss Bri already. I got those vibes at about the half way mark that told there would be a sequel, thankfully it releases this June (preordered already). 

I connect with Bri right away, a teen with no friends, who craves friends and just being a regular teen. But she isn’t a regular teen given the special connection she has with plants. A unique concept that has anything that grows in soil responding to her emotions.

Moving away to a house she inherited is the fresh start she craves, as does her parents. With so many secrets hiding in this place it feels like home until it doesn’t.

The Poison Heart is a story of finding one’s self, of fitting in and finding you knitch. It’s a well written story that drew me right in with vivid descriptions, interesting characters, some Greek mythology and those supernatural elements. Definitely will be recommending this one.

This book was part of my 2022 reading off my shelf challenge (#10) and obtained from Owlcrate (July 2021 box)

A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee

Felicity Morrow is back at Dalloway School.

Perched in the Catskill mountains, the centuries-old, ivy-covered campus was home until the tragic death of her girlfriend. Now, after a year away, she’s returned to graduate. She even has her old room in Godwin House, the exclusive dormitory rumored to be haunted by the spirits of five Dalloway students—girls some say were witches. The Dalloway Five all died mysteriously, one after another, right on Godwin grounds.

Witchcraft is woven into Dalloway’s history. The school doesn’t talk about it, but the students do. In secret rooms and shadowy corners, girls convene. And before her girlfriend died, Felicity was drawn to the dark. She’s determined to leave that behind her now; all Felicity wants is to focus on her senior thesis and graduate. But it’s hard when Dalloway’s occult history is everywhere. And when the new girl won’t let her forget.

It’s Ellis Haley’s first year at Dalloway, and she’s already amassed a loyal following. A prodigy novelist at seventeen, Ellis is a so-called “method writer.” She’s eccentric and brilliant, and Felicity can’t shake the pull she feels to her. So when Ellis asks Felicity for help researching the Dalloway Five for her second book, Felicity can’t say no. Given her history with the arcane, Felicity is the perfect resource.

And when history begins to repeat itself, Felicity will have to face the darkness in Dalloway–and in herself.

• Hardcover, 372 pages
• PublishedAugust 9, 2021
•  by Delacorte Press
• 3/5 stars

 

A Lesson In Vengeance was part of my August 2021 Owlcrate box.  The cover is gorgeous and the edges sprayed so it makes a nice sound when I turned the pages.

This is one of those books that I am left pondering my thoughts.  On the one hand I was genuine curious about this story and how things would turn out. With it's Gothic setting, it had that dark ghosty vibe. Felicity was as interesting character with a past that set the stage for what I hoped to be interesting read.  Oh and yea there are the Dalloway Five from way back when.  Intriguing right?

The first part was a slower pace, getting to know everyone (well honestly there weren't that many to get to know, a smallish cast of characters), get the feel of the land and feel Felicity's emotional fragility.  

The last 1/3 was fast paced, it finished with a twist and a bang but that middle part just dragged and felt one dimensional. The lack of adults and a support cast was felt by this reader, it didn't feel authentic.  It wasn't as dark as I thought and the dark Gothic vibe just didn't pan out for me.

This book was part of my 2021 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge.

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery.

A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city helpless in the grip of chaos. At the heart of it all is eighteen-year-old Juliette Cai, a former flapper who has returned to assume her role as the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang—a network of criminals far above the law. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette’s first love…and first betrayal.

But when gangsters on both sides show signs of instability culminating in clawing their own throats out, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, a madness. Of a monster in the shadows. As the deaths stack up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns—and grudges—aside and work together, for if they can’t stop this mayhem, then there will be no city left for either to rule.

Perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Descendant of the Crane, this heart-stopping debut is an imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai, with rival gangs and a monster in the depths of the Huangpu River.

Hardcover, 449 pages

Published by November 17, 2020

 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

3.5/5 stars

First off, look at that cover! I love it. The gold is raised and my copy signed by the new to me author.

This was a combo audio and book read.  I seem to be doing that a lot this year and its kinda fun.

 I loved the sounds of a Romeo and Juliet retelling.  It's also the first book in a series, knowing that ahead of time made it easy to prepare for some unfinished business and little more of the stage being set for the sequel.

It's 1926 and Shanghai literally felt like a war zone.  Add in some supernatural elements and you've got a  unique story.

While I didn't feel the Romeo and Juliet vibe until closer to the end I definitely felt the era and location.  It was dark, atmospheric and complex as different gangs battle for control. The tension was felt and the plot intricate.

Both Juliette and Roma are strong characters, pressured by family to do the right thing.  The monster element might have been a bit over the top (just my opinion), but needed to further the plot line.

Like I said at the beginning this book set the stage for Our Violent End which releases in just a few weeks.  I've already preordered and look forward to another gorgeous cover on my shelf.

This book was part of an Owlcrate Book Box and part of my 2021 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge.

Review: Among the Beasts & Briars by Ashley Poston

Cerys is safe in the kingdom of Aloriya.

Here there are no droughts, disease, or famine, and peace is everlasting. It has been this way for hundreds of years, since the first king made a bargain with the Lady who ruled the forest that borders the kingdom. But as Aloriya prospered, the woods grew dark, cursed, and forbidden. Cerys knows this all too well: when she was young, she barely escaped as the woods killed her friends and her mother. Now Cerys carries a small bit of the curse—the magic—in her blood, a reminder of the day she lost everything. The most danger she faces now, as a gardener’s daughter, is the annoying fox who stalks the royal gardens and won’t leave her alone.

As a new queen is crowned, however, things long hidden in the woods descend on the kingdom itself. Cerys is forced on the run, her only companions the small fox from the garden, a strange and powerful bear, and the magic in her veins. It’s up to her to find the legendary Lady of the Wilds and beg for a way to save her home. But the road is darker and more dangerous than she knows, and as secrets from the past are uncovered amid the teeth and roots of the forest, it’s going to take everything she has just to survive. 

Hardcover, OwlCrate, 338 pages

Published October 20th 2020 

by Balzer + Bray

5/5 stars

This book was part of my November Owlcrate box.  I love the cover, this photo doesn't do it justice, its bright, shiny and glittery.  What endeared me to this book was the author note that came with it.  I could feel her emotions as I read which just made me love this book all the more.

"Just because you are born a gardener's daughter doesn't make you any less worthy than someone born into royalty."

I loved the characters - Cerys, Fox and the bear.  The back and forth bantering eased the tension as danger surrounds this trio.  The scenery was vivid and the woods filled with danger.  The story was unique and not too predictable. It's magical and thought provoking.

You aren't alone, fox.  Burdens are meant to be shared.

This is YA and even though this adult reader loved it, I think it's geared for the younger end of the YA genre.  It would make a great Disney movie and will appeal to those that love fairy tales.

This book was part of my 2021 Reading of My Shelf Challenge.

Review: Legendborn (Legendborn #1) by Tracy Deonn

After her mother dies in an accident, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews wants nothing to do with her family memories or childhood home. A residential program for bright high schoolers at UNC–Chapel Hill seems like the perfect escape—until Bree witnesses a magical attack her very first night on campus.

A flying demon feeding on human energies.

A secret society of so called “Legendborn” students that hunt the creatures down.

And a mysterious teenage mage who calls himself a “Merlin” and who attempts—and fails—to wipe Bree’s memory of everything she saw.

The mage’s failure unlocks Bree’s own unique magic and a buried memory with a hidden connection: the night her mother died, another Merlin was at the hospital. Now that Bree knows there’s more to her mother’s death than what’s on the police report, she’ll do whatever it takes to find out the truth, even if that means infiltrating the Legendborn as one of their initiates.

She recruits Nick, a self-exiled Legendborn with his own grudge against the group, and their reluctant partnership pulls them deeper into the society’s secrets—and closer to each other. But when the Legendborn reveal themselves as the descendants of King Arthur’s knights and explain that a magical war is coming, Bree has to decide how far she’ll go for the truth and whether she should use her magic to take the society down—or join the fight. 

Hardcover, 512 pages

Published September 15th 2020

 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

4/5 stars

I've heard of authors that dislike comments along the lines of 'such and such genre isn't my thing but I read it anyway and that's why I don't like this book'. Can't say I blame them, why read a book that you know you won't like? Right?  In my case I'll confess that fantasy isn't really my thing but I would never penalise a book because I wanted to try the genre out.  Sometimes its good to step out of ones comfort zone and see if there is something you might be missing.  Such is the case with Legendborn which was part of an Owlcrate YA box, I was thrilled to open this book and see the roll Arthur/Merlin and that whole legend play.

Legendborn is more than just a story about the Arthur legend, it's about a young girl and the grief and despair she goes though with the loss of her mother.

This hardcover comes in at almost 500 pages, it was fast paced (though its a bit hard on the wrists to hold after a while).  With the opening scenes I was hooked and just wanted to give Bree a hug, so ya I was drawn in right away and never looked back. 

There are so many things besides grief that shine through - I loved the diversity, what Black women endure, history/slavery and the Arthurian legend.

The world building was kinda staggering, with attention to detail everything made sense and clicked into place.  The characters weren't perfect, a nice mix of those I like and others not so much.  The action scenes vivid, there were twists and turns.  As for the ending, I was caught off guard and loved it - a great opening for book 2.  Yea it's the start of a new series.

So slowly I am reading more YA fantasy books maybe, just maybe I might graduate to adult fantasy but lets not push that just yet.

This book was part of my 2021 Reading Off My Shelf Challenged and obtained from the fine folks at Owlcrate which included a special cover and signed by the author.

Review: Horrid by Katrina Leno

Following her father's death, Jane North-Robinson and her mom move from sunny California to the dreary, dilapidated old house in Maine where her mother grew up. All they want is a fresh start, but behind North Manor's doors lurks a history that leaves them feeling more alone...and more tormented.

As the cold New England autumn arrives, and Jane settles in to her new home, she finds solace in old books and memories of her dad. She steadily begins making new friends, but also faces bullying from the resident "bad seed," struggling to tamp down her own worst nature in response. Jane's mom also seems to be spiralling with the return of her childhood home, but she won't reveal why. Then Jane discovers that the "storage room" her mom has kept locked isn't for storage at all -- it's a little girl's bedroom, left untouched for years and not quite as empty of inhabitants as it appears....

Is it grief? Mental illness? Or something more... horrid?

Hardcover, Owlcrate Edition, 322 pages

Published September 15th 2020 by 

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

3.5/5 stars

I went into this read blind, no idea what it was about. If it wasn’t for the fact it showed up in my September OwlCrate box I don’t think I would have given it the time of day - I mean look at that cover (not a fan).

Moving clear across the country is how Jane’s story begins. I enjoyed the writing, it was my first time reading Katrina Leno. She grabbed me right away with some quirkyness (don’t think that’s a word) and a character that I felt compassion for.

There is this old family home that’s been empty for a couple years. There is the history that this small town remembers and some hostile people. There are the things her mother won’t share and things that go bump in the night. All the makings for a creepy read, perfect for this time of year.

As the story developed I’ll admit to being stumped as to what was going on, so hats off to the author for keeping me in the dark. Horrid had the ghosty vibes, secrets and things that go creak along with the unexplainable. 

It was a solid 4 stars until I got to the ending. I was left with some unanswered questions that had me scratching my head. I get the conclusion but in hindsight left wondering about some issues. That being said it could very well just be me as there are lots of 5 stars out there for this read.

This book was part of my 2020 Reading Off my Shelf Challenge

Review: The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu comes a historical YA fantasy about a musical prodigy and the dangerous lengths she'll go to make history remember her—perfect for fans of Susanna Clarke and The Hazel Wood.

Two siblings. Two brilliant talents. But only one Mozart.

Born with a gift for music, Nannerl Mozart has just one wish—to be remembered forever. But even as she delights audiences with her masterful playing, she has little hope she'll ever become the acclaimed composer she longs to be. She is a young woman in 18th century Europe, and that means composing is forbidden to her. She will perform only until she reaches a marriageable age—her tyrannical father has made that much clear.

And as Nannerl's hope grows dimmer with each passing year, the talents of her beloved younger brother, Wolfgang, only seem to shine brighter. His brilliance begins to eclipse her own, until one day a mysterious stranger from a magical land appears with an irresistible offer. He has the power to make her wish come true—but his help may cost her everything.

In her first work of historical fiction, #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu spins a lush, lyrically-told story of music, magic, and the unbreakable bond between a brother and sister.

Hardcover, Owlcrate Exclusive Edition, 313 pages

Published 2020 

by G. P. Putnam's Sons
4/5 stars

Make them remember me.

A dark tale of longing to be someone when you live in a male-dominated world. When a girl was told to dream and hope for marriage and children. How frustrating it must have been for Maria Anna (aka Nannerl), talented like her younger brother but stifled because of her gender.

The Kingdom of Back is an interesting world Nannerl created with the promise of being remembered forever. For an 8-year-old her thoughts and an imagination are above her age. It's these dreams that develop and comes to life in a magical and lyrical manner.

I didn't even know of a sister to Mozart, the historical part of this story was a learning experience for me. It was an authentic world that Marie Lu created, how life revolved around the male members of society. Chasing success, Nannerl's father does all he can to promote Wolfgang's talents that left little time to be a child.  But that was the time.

The fantasy part was unique and showed a confused young girl who had to create her only world to hide in and forge her own path no matter the consequences.  

This is my first time reading a Marie Lu book, this is also her first piece of historical fiction.  She is off to a great start, I will be on the lookout for more in this genre.

The Kingdom of Back is part of my 2020 Reading off my Shelf challenge, it was also part of my March Owlcrate box.

Review: The Guinevere Deception (Camelot Rising #1) by Kiersten White

There is nothing in the world as magical and terrifying as a girl.

Princess Guinevere has come to Camelot to wed a stranger: the charismatic King Arthur. With magic clawing at the kingdom's borders, the great wizard Merlin conjured a solution -- send in Guinevere to be Arthur's wife... and his protector from those who want to see the young king's idyllic city fail. The catch? Guinevere's real name -- and her true identity -- is a secret. She is a changeling, a girl who has given up everything to protect Camelot.

To keep Arthur safe, Guinevere must navigate a court in which the old -- including Arthur's own family -- demand things continue as they have been, and the new -- those drawn by the dream of Camelot -- fight for a better way to live. And always, in the green hearts of forests and the black depths of lakes, magic lies in wait to reclaim the land. Arthur's knights believe they are strong enough to face any threat, but Guinevere knows it will take more than swords to keep Camelot free.

Deadly jousts, duplicitous knights, and forbidden romances are nothing compared to the greatest threat of all: the girl with the long black hair, riding on horseback through the dark woods toward Arthur. Because when your whole existence is a lie, how can you trust even yourself?

From the New York Times, bestselling author Kiersten White comes a new fantasy series reimagining the Arthurian legend, set in the magical world of Camelot.

Hardcover, Owlcrate Exclusive Edition, 337 pages 

Published November 5th 2019 

by Delacorte Press

****

One of my goals for 2020 is going outside my comfort zone and trying different genres with the hope of adding variety to my reading life.  Not knowing exactly where to start in the YA fantasy genre I opted to try the OwlCrate YA monthly box.  Have you tried any of these monthly boxes?  I have and they are addicting.  This basically means the YA Owlcrate is a monthly subscription for me and this book, The Guinevere Deception came in my December box (and it's signed to boot!!)

 I'll confess to being totally confused over the whole Arthur/Merlin/Guinevere story, is it real and based on history, is it a fairy tale gone bad or what?  Letting my brain let go of all my questions I sat back and took in this story. This was my first time reading Kiersten White and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Told from the perspective of Guinevere and while the beginning was a tad slow it didn't take long to let go of my preconceived notions of fantasy being confusing and too outlandish that I was caught up in this story. It was intriguing, kept me on my toes and there were a few twists and turns I didn't see coming.

The characters fit the story nicely, it was hard for me to decide whom to trust, some I liked and others not so much. 

So I first (of 2020) foray into YA fantasy was a success.  This is the 1st book in The Camelot Rising Series with book #2 due out sometime in 2020 - it's untitled but added to my TBR pile.

This book is part of my 2020 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge.