A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Published by Bloomsbury USA Childrens in May 2016

Another review from the Cassie's Babblings archives!  I re-read this series in anticipation of book 3 coming out May 2.  I forgot how much this book tore my heart out.  I may have had something in my eye at the end of this book... I hope you enjoy!

"Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two." -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
There are no words to describe all 626 pages of this book. It left me quivering like a pool of jelly on the floor. Sarah J. Maas really knows how to dig into the reader's chest and rip out their heart.

When I first started seeing the #TeamRhys hashtag, I thought "Oh noo. That is not going to happen to me."  Well. It did. I am 100% #TeamRhys. Especially while I'm over here in the corner bawling my eyes out. The next book cannot come fast enough.  If you like kick ass female characters with amazing world building, this series is for you.

Disclosure: I purchased my own copy.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Published by Bloomsbury Children's in May 2015
A Court of Thorns and Roses #1

Another review from the archives!  I'm rereading this series in anticipation for book 3 coming out May 2.  It's also very interesting to go back and reread after reading book 2.  Such a different take on Tamlin after that.  Enjoy!

"When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever."

Will you like it?

I wish I could give this book more than five stars.  I loved the premise of the book even before I read it (Sarah J. Maas wrote it, how could it be bad?!), and I was not disappointed.  There are too many things to gush about.  I love Feyre.  She's not willing to be run over by some arrogant faerie.  She also takes care of her family, and puts her own needs and wants second.  

Tamlin.  There were several times I needed to fan myself after reading certain passages.  He is gorgeous, brooding, and powerful.  Everything a High Lord should be.  (*Disclaimer: I definitely feel different about him after reading book 2, but decided not to change that on here.)

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Published by Doubleday in September 2011

"Welcome to Le Cirque des Rêves.

Beyond the smoke and mirrors, however, a fierce competition is under way--a contest between two young illusionists, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood to compete in a "game" to which they have been irrevocably bound by their mercurial masters. Unbeknownst to the players, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will.

As the circus travels around the world, the feats of magic gain fantastical new heights with every stop. The game is well under way and the lives of all those involved--the eccentric circus owner, the elusive contortionist, the mystical fortune-teller, and a pair of red-headed twins born backstage among them--are swept up in a wake of spells and charms.

But when Celia discovers that Marco is her adversary, they begin to think of the game not as a competition but as a wonderful collaboration. With no knowledge of how the game must end, they innocently tumble headfirst into love. A deep, passionate, and magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

Their masters still pull the strings, however, and this unforeseen occurrence forces them to intervene with dangerous consequences, leaving the lives of everyone from the performers to the patrons hanging in the balance. "

Will you like it?
I picked this book up because I had to read it for book club.  I listened to it in audio, and I'm really glad that I did.  Jim Dale (the Harry Potter narrator) read it, and made the characters come to life.  I don't think I would have picked this book up on my own, without the pressure of book club.

The story is very twisty, and hard to follow.  We jump back and forth in time and place, with many of the same characters appearing in both places.  The ending though to me was the most confusing part. I'm still not entirely sure what happened.

However, the writing is beautiful, and I do love how the stories finally interweave in the last 1/4 of the book.  Even though Jim Dale is amazing, this would be one of those books to read in print so that you can flip back and forth when the stories get too confusing.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library.

The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan

The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan
Published by Disney-Hyperion in October 2016
Magnus Chase & the Gods of Asgard #2

"Thor's hammer is missing again. The thunder god has a disturbing habit of misplacing his weapon--the mightiest force in the Nine Worlds. But this time the hammer isn't just lost, it has fallen into enemy hands. If Magnus Chase and his friends can't retrieve the hammer quickly, the mortal worlds will be defenseless against an onslaught of giants. Ragnarok will begin. The Nine Worlds will burn. Unfortunately, the only person who can broker a deal for the hammer's return is the gods' worst enemy, Loki--and the price he wants is very high."

Will you like it?
Any book written by Rick Riordan is an automatic must-read for me.  I love listening to them because the narrators are always fantastic and Riordan's words are so funny!

As much as I love Riordan's books, they have become a little formulaic.  Hero goes on quest.  Hero gets into a few scrapes.  Hero goes into last battle and against all odds, wins.  BUT.  I always learn about the Gods that Riordan features.  I am always learning and laughing, and that is what makes me come back to his books time after time.

I will be sorry to see Magnus Chase go after the next book, but I can't wait to find out what else Riordan has up his sleeve.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library via Overdrive.

King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard

King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard
Published by HarperTeen in February 2017
Red Queen #3

"Mare Barrow is a prisoner, powerless without her lightning, tormented by her lethal mistakes. She lives at the mercy of a boy she once loved, a boy made of lies and betrayal. Now a king, Maven Calore continues weaving his dead mother's web in an attempt to maintain control over his country—and his prisoner.

As Mare bears the weight of Silent Stone in the palace, her once-ragtag band of newbloods and Reds continue organizing, training, and expanding. They prepare for war, no longer able to linger in the shadows. And Cal, the exiled prince with his own claim on Mare's heart, will stop at nothing to bring her back." -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
As we could expect, the third book in the Red Queen series was jam-packed full of action.  I enjoy this series immensely, and I can't wait to see how the series finally ends.

While I thought that Mare's imprisonment was important to the overall story, her time spent with Maven could have been cut down page wise.  It felt like I was just waiting for her to escape.  I knew it was going to happen, so why couldn't it happen sooner rather than later?

The ending was very interesting too.  Of course Cal has issues choosing sides.  He's had issues choosing sides ever since the first book.  I can't wait to see how that's going to play out.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.

Windwitch by Susan Dennard

Windwitch  by Susan Dennard
Published by Tor Teen in January 2017
The Witchlands #2

"In this follow-up to New York Times bestselling Truthwitch, a shadow man haunts the Nubrevnan streets, leaving corpses in his wake—and then raising those corpses from the dead. Windwitch continues the tale of Merik—cunning privateer, prince, and windwitch."

Will you like it?
I think I enjoyed this book slightly more than the first one.  I tend to enjoy second books, but not fully fall in love because they're just prolonging the action until the end of the series.  I think Dennard made a wise decision by choosing to shift her focus to Merik as the main character.  Of course, we still get time with the other characters, but we spend a lot of time with Merik.

I loved getting to know the characters more, and I think it will be interesting what roles some characters will play in the third and fourth books.  I know it seems very random now, but the threads that bind these characters will become clearer later in the series.  I just love putting together the pieces of the puzzles.

Overall, I can't wait to read more of this series.  I have loved how unique this series has been in terms of magic.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.

Wires and Nerve by Marissa Meyer

Wires and Nerve by Marissa Meyer
Published by Feiwel & Friends in January 2017

"In her first graphic novel, bestselling author Marissa Meyer extends the world of the Lunar Chronicles with a brand-new, action-packed story about Iko, the android with a heart of (mechanized) gold. When rogue packs of wolf-hybrid soldiers threaten the tenuous peace alliance between Earth and Luna, Iko takes it upon herself to hunt down the soldiers' leader. She is soon working with a handsome royal guard who forces her to question everything she knows about love, loyalty, and her own humanity." - From Goodreads

Will you like it?
 If you loved the Lunar Chronicles series, then you will love this book!  I loved seeing the graphic representation of all of my favorite characters.  Some of them looked how I pictured, and some of them were completely different from how I pictured them.  Either way, this is a must-read for Lunar Chronicles fans, and I can't wait until the second volume is released.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.

Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken

Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken
Published by Disney-Hyperion in January 2017
Passenger #2

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

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

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

Will you like it?
I had a hard time with this book.  Without spoiling too much of the book, Etta and Nicholas find themselves separated by time.  Again.  They are apart nearly the entire book, which I found to be a complete drag.  Etta and Nicholas have amazing chemistry when they're together but they're complete Debbie Downers when they are apart.  Bracken has them do a lot of internal self-reflection, and it was getting to be a bit too much in this book.

I feel like the time traveling rules changed a bit from book to book.  I don't know if I could even put my finger on what felt different, but something felt off.

Honestly?  I'm glad I read this book.  I'm glad that I read Passenger and Wayfarer back to back, but I don't know if I would have finished Wayfarer had I waited more time.  If you like character driven stories, this one is for you.

Disclosure: I won the Kindle edition in a Twitter giveaway.

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken
Published by Disney-Hyperion in January 2016
Passenger #1

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

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

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

Will you like it?
Omg this book!  I don’t know why I waited so long to pick up this book.  I have loved all of Bracken’s previous books, but this one made me hesitate.  Or maybe the reason I waited a year was because now I can go right on to the sequel without having to wait.

Without getting into a lot of spoilers, Etta finds out her mom lied to her about her family, and crazily enough, Etta & her mom can travel through time using things called passages.   Long story short, Etta is kidnapped and must go find a priceless relic before her mother is killed.

This entire book was meticulously written.  I loved the characters and the settings.  Etta is thrust into this world and this ability without any training.  Even without training she does remarkably well.  Nicholas’s backstory is an extremely heartbreaking one.  He was born into the Underwood household after his father took advantage of a household slave.  The only way that he was saved was because of his traveler’s ability.  Etta and Nicholas of course fall in love, but it’s not insta-love which I hate so dearly.  Their love transforms over the entire story.

The setting is a major part of the book.  My favorite places are 1940s London, where they meet a younger version of Etta’s tutor, and 1775 Manhattan.  Bracken describes each setting in detail, and it’s clear that she did extensive research before choosing her time periods.
If you’re looking for a time travel novel that isn’t science fiction based, then Passenger is a book that you must read!

Disclosure: I won the Kindle edition in a Twitter giveaway.

The Copper Gauntlet by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

The Copper Gauntlet by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
Published by Scholastic Press in September 2015
Magisterium #2

"Callum Hunt’s summer break isn’t like other kids’. His closest companion is a Chaos-ridden wolf, Havoc. His father suspects him of being secretly evil. And, of course, most kids aren’t heading back to the magical world of the Magisterium in the fall.

It’s not easy for Call . . . and it gets even harder after he checks out his basement and discovers that his dad might be trying to destroy both him and Havoc.

Call escapes to the Magisterium -- but things only intensify there. The Alkahest -- a copper gauntlet capable of separating certain magicians from their magic -- has been stolen. And in their search to discover the culprit, Call and his friends Aaron and Tamara awaken the attention of some very dangerous foes -- and get closer to an even more dangerous truth." - From Goodreads

Will you like it?
I liked this novel better than the first one.  The first bit was slow, but the ending more than made up for the slow start.  The world building and character development continued with this book, and I loved that now we got to see more of the history between Constantine and Call's dad.  I'm excited to continue with this series and see where it ends up.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library.

The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
Published by Scholastic Press in September 2014
Magisterium #1

"Most kids would do anything to pass the Iron Trial.

Not Callum Hunt. He wants to fail.

All his life, Call has been warned by his father to stay away from magic. If he succeeds at the Iron Trial and is admitted into the Magisterium, he is sure it can only mean bad things for him.

So he tries his best to do his worst - and fails at failing.

Now the Magisterium awaits him. It's a place that's both sensational and sinister, with dark ties to his past and a twisty path to his future.

The Iron Trial is just the beginning, for the biggest test is still to come . . . " - From Goodreads

Will you like it?
Kids who like Harry Potter or Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson will love this series.  The sense of adventure is the same.  Even some plot details are eerily similar to those found in Harry Potter and Percy Jackson novels.  Honestly, this series is a great readalike for those kids who love series and love adventure novels.  It won't win any major literary awards, but it's just the thing to recommend.

This first novel had pretty good world building.  For some reason when I first started this book I really thought Clare's Shadowhunters were supposed to be in it as well.  The plot was fairly straightforward, but I liked the "twist" at the end.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library.

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Heartless by Marissa Meyer
Published by Feiwel & Friends in November 2016

"Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the yet-unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend and supply the Kingdom of Hearts with delectable pastries and confections. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next Queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the king's marriage proposal, she meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship.

Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans." - From Goodreads

Will you like it?
This was such a hard book for me to read.  I blame that fact on how I knew Cath was going to become bitter,  but I didn't want to know how she got there.  I loved the characters.  Cath was a dreamer, and had a hard time accepting that her parents wanted her to marry the King of Hearts.  It was also really fun to see all of the other characters that we have associated with Wonderland: the Caterpillar, Cheshire, the Hatter.  Everyone's fate was already decided.  I really hope that Meyer continues with her writing of origin stories; her take on the Queen of Hearts was splendid.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
Published by Orion Children's Books in September 2016
Six of Crows #2

"Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and left crippled by the kidnapping of a valuable team member, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of magic in the Grisha world." -- From Goodreads


Will you like it?
This book.  Of course it pulls all of the feels out of your heart, puts them into a blender, and turns it on high.  I loved the adventure.  I loved the friendship.  I loved how they finally started to treat each other as family.  I don't think this will be the last we see of this Grisha world, and I can't wait!  Now to telepathically send Leigh Bardugo messages to create more stories set in this world.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.

Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

Stars Above by Marissa Meyer
Published by Feiwel & Friends in February 2016.
Lunar Chronicles #4.5

"The universe of the Lunar Chronicles holds stories—and secrets—that are wondrous, vicious, and romantic. How did Cinder first arrive in New Beijing? How did the brooding soldier Wolf transform from young man to killer? When did Princess Winter and the palace guard Jacin realize their destinies?

With nine stories—five of which have never before been published—and an exclusive never-before-seen excerpt from Marissa Meyer’s upcoming novel, Heartless, about the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Stars Above is essential for fans of the bestselling and beloved Lunar Chronicles."

Will you like it?
Honestly, if you like the Lunar Chronicles, you're going to love this collection of short stories.  The stories give background on all of the characters, plus some additional content!  Not going to lie, but the last story totally made me sniffle.  I love these characters so much, and it's really hard to say goodbye.

Disclosure: I borrowed the audiobook from my local library.

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
Published by Bloomsbury USA Childrens in September 2016
Throne of Glass #5

"The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those don't.

As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world. With war looming on all horizons, the only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear." -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
Do you ever have those series that you just can't string words together to explain how much you love it?  This series has become that after this book.  I just sat with tears shining in my eyes.  I love how much character development there was with everyone in this book.  Aelin is not just fighting by herself anymore.  She is fighting with friends and family, and it is awesome.  Now to wait a WHOLE YEAR for the next book.  You'll find me over in the corner rocking back and forth.

Disclosure: I bought my own copy.

An Author's Odyssey by Chris Colfer

An Author's Odyssey by Chris Colfer
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in July 2016
Land of Stories #5

"When the twins and their friends enter worlds crafted from Conner's imagination, finding allies no one else could have ever dreamed of, the race begins to put an end to the Masked Man's reign of terror. Can the twins finally restore peace in the fairy tale world?" -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
This entire book was dedicated to massing an army.  It was entertaining to go into all of Conner's stories.  However, it really didn't advance the plot.  Either way, I love the setting and the characters of this series.  I can't wait to read the next one!

Disclosure: I borrowed the audiobook from my local library.

Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes by Rick Riordan
Published by Disney- Hyperion in August 2015

"Who cut off Medusa's head? Who was raised by a she-bear? Who tamed Pegasus? It takes a demigod to know, and Percy Jackson can fill you in on the all the daring deeds of Perseus, Atalanta, Bellerophon, and the rest of the major Greek heroes. Told in the funny, irreverent style readers have come to expect from Percy, ( I've had some bad experiences in my time, but the heroes I'm going to tell you about were the original old school hard luck cases. They boldly screwed up where no one had screwed up before. . .) and enhanced with vibrant artwork by Caldecott Honoree John Rocco, this story collection will become the new must-have classic for Rick Riordan's legions of devoted fans--and for anyone who needs a hero. So get your flaming spear. Put on your lion skin cape. Polish your shield and make sure you've got arrows in your quiver. We're going back about four thousand years to decapitate monsters, save some kingdoms, shoot a few gods in the butt, raid the Underworld, and steal loot from evil people. Then, for dessert, we'll die painful tragic deaths. Ready? Sweet. Let's do this." -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
If you have liked Riordan's other books, you will definitely like this one.  This one delves into the backstories of all of the tragic Greek heroes.  It's highly entertaining and helpful if you ever want to win Jeopardy!

Disclosure: I borrowed the audiobook from my local public library.

The Crown by Kiera Cass

The Crown by Kiera Cass
Published by HarperTeen in May 2016.
The Selection #5

"When Eadlyn became the first princess of Illéa to hold her own Selection, she didn’t think she would fall in love with any of her thirty-five suitors. She spent the first few weeks of the competition counting down the days until she could send them all home. But as events at the palace force Eadlyn even further into the spotlight, she realizes that she might not be content remaining alone.

Eadlyn still isn’t sure she’ll find the fairytale ending her parents did twenty years ago. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you…and soon Eadlyn must make a choice that feels more impossible—and more important—than she ever imagined."

Will you like it?
The ending of The Heir really made me mad.  It was such a HUGE cliffhanger, and I expected that The Crown would start strong and really keep me on the edge of my seat until the end.  NOPE.  The cliffhanger at the end of book 4 is resolved within a few chapters.  Then it was a bunch of fluffy stuff until she has to make a really "hard" decision.  I liked this book.  I liked everyone except for Eadlyn, and I'm glad that this was the end of this series.

Disclosure: I bought my own copy of this book.

Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton
Published by Viking Books for Young Readers in March 2016
Rebel of the Sands #1

"She’s more gunpowder than girl—and the fate of the desert lies in her hands.

Mortals rule the desert nation of Miraji, but mystical beasts still roam the wild and barren wastes, and rumor has it that somewhere, djinni still practice their magic. But there's nothing mystical or magical about Dustwalk, the dead-end town that Amani can't wait to escape from.

Destined to wind up "wed or dead," Amani’s counting on her sharpshooting skills to get her out of Dustwalk. When she meets Jin, a mysterious and devastatingly handsome foreigner, in a shooting contest, she figures he’s the perfect escape route. But in all her years spent dreaming of leaving home, she never imagined she'd gallop away on a mythical horse, fleeing the murderous Sultan's army, with a fugitive who's wanted for treason. And she'd never have predicted she'd fall in love with him... or that he'd help her unlock the powerful truth of who she really is." -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
I really liked this story.  Until 3/4 through the story.  A plot twist came out of nowhere and I would have appreciated some foreshadowing.  I get why the author did what she did, but I felt blindsided.  Also!  When Jin and Amani finally get to their destination, he acts really different.  I know the author tried to make it Amani's story, but I also felt that Jin turned from hot to cold too quickly.  I still plan on reading the rest of the series though.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.

Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan
Published by Disney Hyperion in October 2015
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1

"Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.

One day, he’s tracked down by a man he’s never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. The man tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god.

The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.

When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision.

Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . . "

Will you like it?
Anyone who has read Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series will enjoy this series.  The humor is spot-on.  Honestly, the way that Riordan portrays the Norse gods is highly entertaining but still informative.  I've learned so much about Greek and Egyptian Gods from Riordan, and I'm excited to continue with this series.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.