Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

It's 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer. She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street.

Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.

With characters as captivating as those in her internationally bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny.

Paperback, 348 pages

Published February 12, 2013

 by Philomel Books

4/5 stars

Out of the Easy is my 2nd book by Ruta Sepetys, Between Shades of Gray was my first, which I loved. Departing from WW2 this one is set in 1950s New Orleans, a city teaming with secrets. 

This story follows Josie Moraine, a seventeen-year-old determined to carve out a life beyond what’s expected of her as the daughter of a courtesan. She is driven and ambition, while also loyal and caring, a character I rooted for. Though a suspicious death, she finds herself pulled deeper into a world she’s trying to escape.

Having been to New Orleans myself, I already had a strong sense and visual of the area, which made the setting feel even more vivid. 

Out of the Easy is a story of secrets, ambition and the pull between where you come from and where you want to go. It highlights how the choices we make can shape our future, even when the odds feel stacked against us. An enjoyable read by an author I really need to read more of.

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #9

The Lost by Sarah Beth Durst

A re-release of a fully updated and expanded edition of THE LOST, with a brand-new ending. Against the backdrop of a desolate and mystical town, this arresting, fantastical novel explores one woman’s impossible journey—and her quest to find her fate.

Lost your way?

Your dreams?

Yourself?

Welcome to Lost.

It was supposed to be a small escape. A few hours' driving before turning around and heading home. But once you arrive in Lost…well, it's a place you really can't leave. Not until you're Found. Only the Missing Man can send you home. And he took one look at Lauren Chase and disappeared.

So Lauren is now trapped in the town where all lost things go—luggage, keys, dreams, lives—where nothing is permanent, where the locals go feral and where the only people who don't want to kill her are a handsome wild man called the Finder and a knife-wielding six-year-old girl. The only road out of town is engulfed in an impassable dust storm, and escape is impossible…

Until Lauren decides nothing—and no one—is going to keep her here anymore.

Kindle Edition, 340 pages

Published November 11, 2025

 by MIRA

3.5/5 stars

The Lost is a a compelling blend of YA fantasy and magical realism, a re-release by one of my favorite go-to authors.  Sarah Beth Durst builds worlds that are unique, kinda quirky and delivers relevant subject matters.

Built around a quietly unsettling premise: a town where lost things and sometimes lost people, seem to gather. When Lauren stumbles into this place, her ordinary life slips away, replaced by strange rules, unusual residents and a sense that nothing quite behaves as it should.

On one hand the atmosphere is almost dreamlike and kinda disorienting yet it is grounded enough that Lauren’s emotional journey remains relatable. It was mysterious as well with a cast of characters who each bring their own layers of intrigue and unpredictability.

Even though the pacing drifted in a few spots, overall the story delivers an imaginative escape with touches of whimsy and tension. The Lost is an engaging YA read that blends fantasy and magical realism in a thoughtful, slightly eerie way, perfect for readers who enjoy stories that sit between the real and the impossible.

My thanks to the publisher for a digital arc (via Netgalley) in exchange for a honest review.

The Executioners Three by Susan Dennard

From New York Times bestselling author Susan Dennard comes The Executioners Three, a mystery filled with rivalry, romance, best friends, and a gruesome curse that dates back centuries.

Freddie Gellar didn't mean to get half the rival high school arrested. She’d simply heard shrieks coming from the woods, so she’d called the cops like any good human would do. How was she supposed to know it was just kids partying?

Except the next day, a body is found. And while the local sheriff might call it suicide, Freddie's instincts tell her otherwise. So, like the aspiring sleuth (and true X-Files aficionado) she is, Freddie sets out to prove there's a murderer at large.

Kindle Edition, 304 pages

Audiobook, 9 hours, 12 minutes

Published August 26, 2025

 by Tor Teen and Mcmillan Audio

4/5 stars

I was attracted to The Executioners Three because of the cover which was quickly followed up with the blurb. 

I was drawn within the first couple of chapters.  With a cast of unreliable characters and that supernatural element that drew on past events. This was my kind of mystery that had tension and suspense.  Add in some good banter and I was in my happy place. 

Told from a number of different view points rounded everything out, each one added a fresh layer and kept me piecing things together in new ways. This unique mystery kept me guessing all the way through, there were plenty of twists that made me want to keep turning the pages. The past storyline wove in nicely creating a Gothic feel. Freddie is a fun character, she is creative and kinda fun to hang out with.

Susan Dennard is a new author for me, I will be checking out her backlist.

My thanks to Tor Teens and Mcmillan Audio for digital arcs in exchange for a honest review.

Munro vs. the Coyote by Darren Groth

Since the sudden death of his younger sister, Evie, sixteen-year-old Munro Maddux has been having flashbacks and anger-management issues. 

He has a constant ache in his right hand. And there's a taunting, barking, biting voice he calls "the Coyote." Munro knows a six-month student exchange will not be the stuff of teenage dreams, but in Brisbane, he intends to move beyond his troubled past. 

It is there, at an assisted-living residence called Fair Go Community Village, that Munro discovers the Coyote can be silenced. Munro volunteers as a "Living Partner" and gets to know the team of residents he is assigned to. The burden Munro carries, however, is not so easily cast aside. When one of the team makes the decision to leave, the Coyote gets a new life. When a second resident is taken away, the specter of trauma and death looms larger than ever. 

Will Munro learn how to silence the voice? Or will the Coyote ultimately triumph?

Paperback, 288 pages, 

Published May 11, 2021

 by Orca Book Publishers

4.5/5 stars

Munro vs. the Coyote was a thoughtful and emotionally honest read. It is the story of a teenage boy dealing with grief after the sudden loss of his sister. It tackles some heavy themes that include mental health, suicide, guilt, and resilience - with a quiet strength and empathy that doesn’t feel forced or preachy.

Munro is a believable and hurting character. His grief feels raw and genuine, and the way he interacts with the 'Coyote' his internal voice of doubt and pain is both clever and heartbreaking. The metaphor might seem quirky at first, but it becomes a powerful symbol of the internal battles so many young people face.

Darren Groth writes with a simple, clear style that lets the emotional weight of the story come through without over-explaining. There are moments of dark humor, genuine warmth and small flashes of hope that keep the story grounded, even as it explores a difficult subject.

It’s not a fast-paced book, and there were a few spots that felt a little slow or repetitive, but overall, it’s a deeply meaningful story about love and loss and learning how to keep going when everything feels broken.

I’d definitely recommend this to older teens or adults looking for a raw, compassionate take on grief and healing.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge #17 - I read this in March and struggled putting the words together until now.

Hopeless in Hope by Wanda John-Kehewin

We live in a hopeless old house on an almost-deserted dead-end street in a middle-of-nowhere town named Hope. This is the oldest part of Hope; eventually it will all be torn down and rebuilt into perfect homes for perfect people. Until then, we live here: imperfect people on an imperfect street that everyone forgets about. For Eva Brown, life feels lonely and small. Her mother, Shirley, drinks and yells all the time. She’s the target of the popular mean girl, and her only friend doesn’t want to talk to her anymore. All of it would be unbearable if it weren’t for her cat, Toofie, her beloved nohkum, and her writing, which no one will ever see. When Nohkum is hospitalized, Shirley struggles to keep things together for Eva and her younger brother, Marcus. After Marcus is found wandering the neighbourhood alone, he is sent to live with a foster family, and Eva finds herself in a group home. Furious at her mother, Eva struggles to adjust―and being reunited with her family seems less and less likely. During a visit to the hospital, Nohkum gives Eva Shirley’s diary. Will the truths it holds help Eva understand her mother? Heartbreaking and humorous, Hopeless in Hope is a compelling story of family and forgiveness.

Paperback, 216 pages

Published September 5, 2023

by HighWater Press

5/5 stars

Hopeless in Hope is one of those stories that makes me wonder why it isn’t getting the hype that it deserves. And knowing that this is the authors debut makes it all the more poignant.

Eva is 14-years-old, she lives in Hope, BC.  Not only is she indigenous, but bullied for being overweight and impoverished. Her mother is an alcoholic, along with her brother Marcus, they are being raised by their grandmother, her Hohkum.

Hopeless in Hope was an emotional read as it tackles a number of subjects. It is about Eva‘s journey as she enters a group home while her brother enters a another one following their grandmother's hospitalization. It is during that time that Eva reconciles with her mother and grandmother‘s past and how they arrived where they are today.

Such a well written story about the effect of Canada‘s past on future generations.  This book should be in classrooms and widely talked about.  I recommend this to readers of all ages.

My copy was obtained through my local public library.

Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron

Cinderella is dead, but Snow White fights on . . .

New York Times bestselling author Kalynn Bayron makes her highly anticipated return to the realm of fairy tales with this thrilling twist on the classic story of Snow White.Princess Eve was raised with one to destroy the Knight, an evil sorcerer who terrorizes Queens Bridge with his wicked magic. Her own unique magic--the ability to conjure weapons from nature--makes her a worthy adversary. Far too many of subjects of Queens Bridge have been devastated by the Knight's trickery.As she approaches her seventeenth birthday, Eve is ready to battle. But her mother, Queen Regina, has been acting bizarrely, talking to a strange mirror alone every night. Then a young man claiming to be the Knight's messenger appears and shares a shocking truth about Eve's past. Unsure of who to trust or what to do next, Eve must find the courage to do what she's always fight. But will it be enough to save her family and her queendom?

Kindle Edition, 349 pages

Published June 25, 2024

 by Bloomsbury YA

4/5 stars

My first Kalynn Bayron book was This Poison Heart, which I loved.  This her new book is a loosely based retelling of Snow White.

Sleep Like Death was an entertaining read.  I was sucked in right away with a character I could root for, Eve is brave, devoted to her family and kingdom.  The world building was interesting and unexpected (really one can't always know what to expect in a fantasy read).  There might have been hints to her previous Cinderella retelling but not enough to leave me confused, but enough to bump it up on my tbr.  Though it took a bit to feel the Snow White vibe, the build up was action packed, heartbreaking and unique.

Kalynn Bayron is a talented author, her books are fun, engaging and entertaining.  An author I recommend for those that like YA fantasy without the spice but can handle some death and violence.

My thanks to Bloomsbury YA (via Netgalley) for the digital ARC in exchange for a honest review.

 

Shelter, Seconds Away and Found by Harlan Coben

Mickey Bolitar's year can't get much worse. After witnessing his father's death and sending his mom to rehab, he's forced to live with his estranged uncle Myron and switch high schools.

A new school comes with new friends and new enemies, and lucky for Mickey, it also comes with a great new girlfriend, Ashley. For a while, it seems like Mickey's train-wreck of a life is finally improving - until Ashley vanishes without a trace. Unwilling to let another person walk out of his life, Mickey follows Ashley's trail into a seedy underworld that reveals that this seemingly sweet, shy girl isn't who she claimed to be. And neither was Mickey's father. Soon, Mickey learns about a conspiracy so shocking that it makes high school drama seem like a luxury - and leaves him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew.

First introduced to readers in Harlan Coben's latest adult novel, Live Wire, Mickey Bolitar is as quick-witted and clever as his uncle Myron, and eager to go to any length to save the people he cares about. With this new series, Coben introduces an entirely new generation of fans to the masterful plotting and wry humor that have made him an award-winning, internationally bestselling, and beloved author.

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published September 15, 2011

 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

4/5 stars

This review is for the whole series not just the first in this YA trilogy.  Not only did I want to read this because of the author but I pushed it to the top of my reading pile so that I was prepared for the Amazon Prime Series.  I made it in time.

Still a new Coben reader I'm still learning the who is who in the world of the Bolitar's.  Plus I only included the blurb for the 1st book, Shelter to avoid spoilers.

Shelter begins as Mickey is still mourning the loss of his father and the subsequence addiction issues his mothers faces in her grief. Living with his estranged uncle, in a new town, is new for Mickey.  It's when the town crazy lady, aka The Bat Lady, tells Mickey his father is still alive that sets this book in motion.  There are strange happenings, disappearances and unfriendly classmates.  But there is also Spoons and Ema, who turn into reluctant and unexpected friends. 

This series is about loss, mystery, family, friendships and much more. As each book has its own drama, ultimately it is about Mickey and his family and the friendships that develop. As to what happened with Bat Lady and her statement, well you will have to read the book to find out.

As for the Prime Series, yes there were changes made and as usual I enjoyed the books more - which really isn't unusual for me.

My print copies of this series was obtained through my public library as well as audiobooks via Scribd.

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Secret passages. Elaborate riddles. Billions at stake.

Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her fluck changes in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune. The only catch? Avery must move into sprawling mansion, full of secret passages, riddles, and codes. Unfortunately for Avery, Hawthorne House is also occupied by the family that just disinherited. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic, brilliant boys who grew up with every expectation that one day, they would inherit billions.

Heir apparent Grayson Hawthorne is convinced that Avery is a con woman, and he's determined to take her down. His brother, Jameson, views her as their grandfather's last hurrah: a twisted riddle, a puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive.

Paperback, 380 pages

Published July 27, 2021

 by Little Brown Books For Young Readers

3.5/5 stars

As I continue my journey to read more books off my shelf this year, The Inheritance Games marks #70 (and I feel like I'm only making a small dent). This book has received rave reviews and is the first installment in a series with the same name.

This story revolves around Avery Grambs, a teen whose goal is to survive high school and make a better life for herself . However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she receives an inheritance from a complete strange, which happens to be an enormous fortune.  But there's a catch, she has to live in this sprawling mansion for 1 year to receive it.  What follows is a journey of riddle solving and family members who were disinherited. 

There are parts of this book that I read, but the majority of the time was listening to the audio book.

The Inheritance Games is an intriguing story that left me with unanswered questions.  But given this is just the start of the series, the door is definitely open for the rest of the series.  It's a cat and mouse story with lots of problem solving, secret passages, mystery and danger.  

The ending definitely piqued my interest for book 2, The Hawthorne Legacy which I will most likely read.  Though I liked the audiobook I think next time I will stick with the book as I found some of the voices didn't match the personalities.  Book 5 releases in 2024, lets see if I can get caught up by then.

This book was part of my 2023 reading off my shelf challenge.

The Isle of Gold by Seven Jane

Mystery, Myth & Magic Meet in an Epic Adventure of Two Women Lost at Sea—and the Secret that Binds Them Together

AN ORPHAN DISGUISED AS A PIRATE SETS SAIL FOR A MYSTICAL ISLAND IN HOPES OF UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES OF HER PAST

The year is 1716—the Golden Age of Pirates. An orphan who sleeps in the dusty kitchens of a quayside brothel, Merrin Smith is desperate to unravel the secrets of her past and find the truth about the events that brought her to the Caribbean island of Isla Perla as a child. Disguised as a sailor, and with the help of her longtime friend Claudette, Merrin joins the crew of the pirate ship Riptide, helmed by the notorious Captain Erik Winters. Tenacious and rumored a madman, Winters is known as much for his ruthlessness as for his connection to the enigmatic and beautiful proprietress of the Goodnight Mermaid, Evangeline Dahl, who vanished from Isla Perla two summers before.

At sunset the Riptide sails for the mythical island of Bracile, a place hidden between air and sea and that exists only for a moment every two years, and which has never returned any man who has sailed for its shores. The journey will be perilous and long, and it will take Merrin far away from the only home she’s ever known. Because she can read, Merrin will serve as the Captain’s apprentice, deciphering old texts for clues to the island’s whereabouts as the ship sails through haunted, frozen waters and into the very heart of the ocean. As she struggles to navigate the rough, seafaring life aboard a pirate ship, Merrin must keep her identity hidden from the scrupulous gaze of not only Captain Winters, but also Mister Brandon Dunn, the ship’s surly, legend-spouting quartermaster, and Tom Birch, the charming boatswain Merrin can’t help but feel drawn to.

As the Riptide makes its way to Bracile, Merrin begins to suspect that the men she has worked so hard to deceive may in fact be more connected to her than she would have imagined, and that perhaps her own past might have more to do with the Dunn’s legends and myths than she ever could have guessed.

In The Isle of Gold, Merrin Smith must face perilous waters, cursed sea goddesses, and the embodiments of some of the ocean’s most terrifying legends as she not only struggles to survive her journey, but to find the answers to the mysteries of her past.

A story where history meets fantasy, The Isle of Gold is an epic, emotional adventure of two women—one desperate to save herself, and the other determined to be rescued—and the secret which binds them together.

“For as long as men have sailed the ocean, they have told stories about the sea,” says Jane. “It’s a place of mystery, myth, and magic—and this makes The Isle of Gold a perfect setting for an epic adventure that is not only a tale of historical fiction, but of the very evolution of a woman’s spirit as she seeks to find herself in a world of unpredictability and uncertainty.”

Kindle Edition, 239 pages

Published October 9, 2018

by Black Spot Books

3/5 stars

This is book one in The Daughters Jones trilogy. It’s where fantasy meets historical fiction, meets pirates and mythology. Yes that is a lot but for a short read, 239 pages it does pack in a lot .

This was a fun read in terms of a young woman, disguising herself as a man, a pirate to boot and sailing the high seas in search of a long, lost friend. She gets more than she bargained for on this journey. This book started rather slow for me, and it wasn’t until the last third where things really picked up and I pretty much read in one sitting. I won’t go into details of what transpires, but suffice to say it is an adventure stories on the high seas with a touch of supernatural, romance, and swashing buckling adventure.

Will I continue with the series, for now probably not but who knows I am a mood reader so I may pick it up at some later date.

My apologies to Black Spot Books for the lateness of my review and thank you for a digital copy.

Salt and Sugar by Rebecca Carvalho

The grandchildren of two rival Brazilian bakeries fall in love despite their families’ feud.

Trust neither thin-bottomed frying pans nor Molinas.

Lari Ramires has always known this to be true. In Olinda, Brazil, her family’s bakery, Salt, has been at war with the Molinas’ bakery across the street, Sugar, for generations. But Lari’s world turns upside down when her beloved grandmother passes away. On top of that, a big supermarket chain has moved to town, forcing many of the small businesses to close.

Determined to protect her home, Lari does the unthinkable—she works together with Pedro Molina to save both of their bakeries. Lari realizes she might not know Pedro as well as she thought—and she maybe even likes what she learns—but the question remains: Can a Ramires and a Molina truly trust one another? 

Kindle Edition, 368 pages

Expected publication: November 1st 2022

by Inkyard Press

3.5/5 stars

This contemporary YA a novel takes place in Brazil and reflects food and culture.

Centering around two bakery's that have been across the street from each other for generations. Lari and Pedro have never associated with each other until this, their last year in high school. As they are forced to work together, what follows is a long winded story about the ongoing feud between these two families as a big box store threatens their livelihoods.

Salt and Sugar is a story of relationships, family and young love. Reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, can these two teens end this feud.

This story had a younger YA feel, and while I connected with these two teens, I found the actions of the mothers off putting, overwhelming, and maybe a bit excessive, which took away from what could have been a four-star read. That being said it was still entertaining, I learned a lot about the different foods in Brazil and loved the creativity of these two.

Salt and Sugar releases on Tuesday Nov 1st and available for preorder now.

My thanks to the publisher Inkyard and Netgalley for a digital art in exchange for a honest review.

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson ramps up the horror and tackles America’s history and legacy of racism in this suspenseful YA novel following a biracial teenager as her Georgia high school hosts its first integrated prom.

When Springville residents—at least the ones still alive—are questioned about what happened on prom night, they all have the same explanation . . . Maddy did it.

An outcast at her small-town Georgia high school, Madison Washington has always been a teasing target for bullies. And she's dealt with it because she has more pressing problems to manage. Until the morning a surprise rainstorm reveals her most closely kept secret: Maddy is biracial. She has been passing for white her entire life at the behest of her fanatical white father, Thomas Washington.

After a viral bullying video pulls back the curtain on Springville High's racist roots, student leaders come up with a plan to change their image: host the school's first integrated prom as a show of unity. The popular white class president convinces her Black superstar quarterback boyfriend to ask Maddy to be his date, leaving Maddy wondering if it's possible to have a normal life.

But some of her classmates aren't done with her just yet. And what they don't know is that Maddy still has another secret . . . one that will cost them all their lives. 

Kindle Edition, 416 pages

Expected publication: September 6th 2022 

by HarperCollins/Tegen

3/5 stars

Both the author and genre (YA Horror) are new to me.  Social media was not quiet in terms of what type of retelling this was, so I began reading with a pre-conceived notion of what was going to happen.  Though once I started it wasn’t hard to figure out how this book would end. Not just because of the spoilers online but because of the format. Told from a couple different points of view and also through interview/excerpt pages from a book, told much of the story before it happened eliminating any element of surprise.

The Weight of Blood is a story of racial unrest, bullying and dysfunctional families. It was hard to read at times and though it takes place in 2015 I felt like it went farther back into the 60’s with the segregation of races. There were a lot of characters here and at times I struggled to connect with who was who.

Deemed as a horror book I was looking for the fright, things that go bump in the night or just anything to invoke that feeling of scariness.  And not just with the ending, but throughout the story. But I didn’t feel that vibe and honestly (I know I am going against the general response to this book, could be an age thing) but I didn't feel any type of emotion other than sadness for the main character and Kenny.

The Weight of Blood reminds me of Mean Girls meets Firestarter meets Carrie. It's a racial bullying story with some supernatural elements.  The way the story jumped around disrupted the flow leaving me craving just to read the main story and not the interviews and other fillers.  

My thanks to HarperCollins CA for a digital arc (via Netgalley) in exchange for a honest review.

Gallant by V.E. Schwab, Manuel Sumberac (Illustrator)

Everything casts a shadow. Even the world we live in. And as with every shadow, there is a place where it must touch. A seam, where the shadow meets its source.

Olivia Prior has grown up in Merilance School for girls, and all she has of her past is her mother’s journal—which seems to unravel into madness. Then, a letter invites Olivia to come home—to Gallant. Yet when Olivia arrives, no one is expecting her. But Olivia is not about to leave the first place that feels like home, it doesn’t matter if her cousin Matthew is hostile or if she sees half-formed ghouls haunting the hallways.

Olivia knows that Gallant is hiding secrets, and she is determined to uncover them. When she crosses a ruined wall at just the right moment, Olivia finds herself in a place that is Gallant—but not. The manor is crumbling, the ghouls are solid, and a mysterious figure rules over all. Now Olivia sees what has unraveled generations of her family, and where her father may have come from.

Olivia has always wanted to belong somewhere, but will she take her place as a Prior, protecting our world against the Master of the House? Or will she take her place beside him?

Hardcover, 334 pagesr

Published March 1, 2022

 by Greenwillow Books

3.5/5 stars

Though I wasn’t a huge fan of The Invisible Life of Addie Larue I wanted to give this author another try.

This book starts off with me connecting right away to Olivia, it wasn’t hard when first introduced to Olivia and learn about her experiences at this place called Merilance. The author vividly put me in that location with its derelict and abandon outbuildings the feeling of her desolation with no friends and uncompassionate caregivers. But her personality shines through in her cunning and smarts. She leaves this place for new adventures and hopefully with family at a place called Gallant. I should add that Olivia cannot speak.

Gallant is where things start to get strange and unsettling. What follows is not what was hoped for or envisioned. It is mysterious with that supernatural element.

When I felt the middle part drag a little I listened to the audiobook for the remainder. The last part was fast paced, which would have been nice for the middle part. I did follow along with the book for the illustrations and extra letters apart from the story.

Marketed as YA it had more of a middle grade feel to it. Thankfully I like MG .

This book was part of my 2022 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)

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Review:

I read this book last year and feel bad that it took so long to post this review. I received it in the spring YA box from the fine folks at SweetReadsBox.

Coming in at almost 500 pages it is a big commitment but honestly I was so captivated with this read that the time just flew by. Some chapters I listened to the audiobook, which was great because I got to hear the proper pronunciation for the Ojibwe words.

Eighteen year old Daunis tells her story of the past while dealing with secrets both past and present. This book is so well written and researched. 

There are many layers to this story, I actually reversed my usual blurb first then review just because the blurb gives so much of the story away with things that happen during the last half of the book. I went in blind, not knowing a thing and loved it.

The Firekeeper’s Daughter is more than a story about her life, it’s also about the injustices being biracial with a past that doesn’t let go. It’s about the Ojibwe way and learning their traditions and why. While marketed for a YA audience I highly recommend for all. This book offers so much, mystery, family drama, friendship, culture and a gorgeous cover.

This is Angeline Boulley’s debut, I can’t wait to see what comes next. But I have to say she has set the bar high. One of my favourite reads of 2021 and even after all this time this book has stayed with me.

Hardcover, 496 pages

Published March 16th 2021

 by Henry, Holt and Co. (BYR)

5/5 stars

As a biracial, unenrolled tribal member and the product of a scandal, eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. Daunis dreams of studying medicine, but when her family is struck by tragedy, she puts her future on hold to care for her fragile mother.

The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother Levi’s hockey team. Yet even as Daunis falls for Jamie, certain details don’t add up and she senses the dashing hockey star is hiding something. Everything comes to light when Daunis witnesses a shocking murder, thrusting her into the heart of a criminal investigation.

Reluctantly, Daunis agrees to go undercover, but secretly pursues her own investigation, tracking down the criminals with her knowledge of chemistry and traditional medicine. But the deceptions—and deaths—keep piling up and soon the threat strikes too close to home.

Now, Daunis must learn what it means to be a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and how far she'll go to protect her community, even if it tears apart the only world she’s ever known.

Debut author Angeline Boulley crafts a groundbreaking YA thriller about a Native teen who must root out the corruption in her community, for readers of Angie Thomas and Tommy Orange.

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

A new series about love, curses, and the lengths that people will go to for happily ever after.

Evangeline Fox was raised in her beloved father’s curiosity shop, where she grew up on legends about immortals, like the tragic Prince of Hearts. She knows his powers are mythic, his kiss is worth dying for, and that bargains with him rarely end well.

But when Evangeline learns that the love of her life is about to marry another, she becomes desperate enough to offer the Prince of Hearts whatever he wants in exchange for his help to stop the wedding. The prince only asks for three kisses. But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’s pledged. And he has plans for Evangeline that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy…

Hardcover, 432 pages

Published September 28, 2021

 by Flatiron Books

5/5 stars

“She didn't make being alone seem lonely as Evangeline had always feared. She made it seem like an adventure, as if every moment were the start of a story with endless possibilities.”

Once Upon a Broken Heart had me with the title and cover, I'm so glad I followed my gut instinct and pre-ordered to get this exclusive cover.  It far exceeded my expectations and I can't wait for the sequel.

There are a number of things I really enjoyed about this book.  The fairy talish vibes were felt throughout this book and for me it didn't mimic other fairy tales - though others might see similarities, I didn't.  The intricate magic system wasn't hard to follow for this non fantasy reader but rather its detail gave off the ancient vibes of fairy tales of old. 

The characters were authentic, unique and so interesting.  I heard there were some familiar faces from the author's previous series (guess who just broke her book buying ban), but that didn't hamper the story, if anything it just made me want to read more Garber books. 

"...leaving her alone with a new shipment of oddities that included a fountain pen with a curious label:  For finding dreams that don't exist yet."  

The writing style and the plot, with its surprising twists and turns had me enjoying this read.  I didn't rush but savoured the journey. This is a story about lost love, family, secrets and trying to decipher who is trustworthy.  Definitely worth the 5 stars, I can't wait to reread before the sequel comes out in Sept.

This book was part of my 2022 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge (book #9).  

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.

You Have a Match by Emma Lord

A NEW LOVE, A SECRET SISTER, AND A SUMMER SHE'LL NEVER FORGET.

FROM THE BELOVED AUTHOR OF 'TWEET CUTE' COMES EMMA LORD'S 'YOU HAVE A MATCH', A HILARIOUS AND HEARTFELT NOVEL OF ROMANCE, SISTERHOOD, AND FRIENDSHIP. . .

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie. . .although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.

But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.

When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents - especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.

The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby's growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.

Audiobook, 9 hours

Published January 12, 2021 

by Macmillan Audio

4/5 stars

This was a fun audio book.  A YA summer read which I listened to earlier in the year.  It had the makings of the perfect beach read - friends, summer camp and family drama.

It was mysterious in how the sisters were separated.  Family drama which goes back to the previous comment.  Friends with secrets, a famous influencer after the best picture (and smoothie) whether it be to catch the sunrise or perfect beach shot.  Along with the antics of summer camp - hiking, getting lost and much more.

The characters were typical teenagers doing typical teenager things. The story was unveiled step by step to a nice ending.

Like I said a fun read that I'm sure works as well in formats other than an audiobook.

My copy was obtained via Overdrive through my local public library.

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.

House of Glass Hearts by Leila Siddiqui

Maera and her ammi never talk about the Past, a place where they've banished their family's heartache and grief forever. They especially never mention the night Maera's older brother Asad disappeared from her naana's house in Karachi ten years ago. But when her grandfather dies and his derelict greenhouse appears in her backyard from thousands of miles away, Maera is forced to confront the horrors of her grandfather's past. To find out what happened to her brother, she must face the keepers of her family's secrets-the monsters that live inside her grandfather's mysterious house of glass.

Seamlessly blending history with myth, HOUSE OF GLASS HEARTS follows a Pakistani-American teen's ruthless quest to find her missing sibling, even if the truth would reveal her grandfather's devastating secret and tear her family apart. In a narrative that switches between colonial India and present-day America, this ambitious debut explores how the horrors of the past continue to shape the lives of South Asians around the world.

Paperback, 273 pages

Published: September 30, 2021

by Yali Books

3.5/5 stars

I was attracted to this book because of the Pakistani setting.  My son lived there for 4 years and it's where his wife was born.

Told from 2 different POVs it alternated between the present and the past, 1947 to be exact.  It was the backstory that grabbed my attention, while I knew 1947 was when the British left India to their own devices I didn't know about the bloodshed that ensued.  This lead to many discussions with my son and googling lots.  I love it when a book does that.

For me this book got off to a slow start. While I am familiar with the odd Urdu word I found myself looking up the meaning of words and other times I would guess.  Hopefully the finished book will have a glossary.  I also felt that I needed to know some of the history before hand.  The last half kept me captivated in colonial India, more of that would have been nice and a little less of the present day story.

My thanks to Yali Books for a print ARC in exchange for an honest review.  This book has released and available for purchase now in various formats.

Names in a Jar by Jennifer Gold

Twelve-year-old Anna Krawitz is imprisoned in the Warsaw Ghetto with her older sister, Lina, and their father. Happy days spent reading about anatomy and science in Papa's bookshop are long gone, and the knowledge they have is used to help their neighbors through the illnesses caused by starvation and war.

With no hope in sight and supplies dwindling, Anna finds herself taking care of an orphaned baby. With a courage she didn't know she had, Anna and the baby leave behind all they know and go into hiding with a Catholic family, changing their names to hide their identity, but Lina is not so lucky and winds up in the infamous Treblinka Camp. Can Lina survive and find her way back to Anna? Will the two sisters even recognize each other after such a long time?

A story filled with hope, courage and reconciliation.

Kindle, 336 pages

Expected publication: September 14th 2021

by Second Story Press

4/5 stars

The cover is what drew me to this book.  I love reading middle grade and that was my initial impression.  However, its geared more for teens and YA.  Even though Anna is only 12 years old when this story begins we get to watch her become a teen and grow up before her time.

Though the eyes of these two sisters, Anna and Lina, a clear picture is shown of what life was like before being expelled to the Warsaw Ghetto and what transpired there.  At times heartbreaking to read and maybe for a younger audience it might be a little much, it isn't graphic but you get a clear picture what takes place.  

One of the things I love about reading HF is learning, and once again I was education.  From the Treblinka Camp to Irena Sendler (Jolenta is based on her and I would have loved to read more) to Catholics taking in Jewish children, unknown parts of that era to me.

Names in a Jar is a story of survival, heartache and family.  One I recommend but don't let the whimsical cover deceive you.

My thanks to Second Story Press (via Netgalley) for a e-arc in exchange for a honest review.  Look for this book on Sept 14th.