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.

Going Geek by Charlotte Huang

Going Geek by Charlotte Huang
Published by Delacorte Press in September 2016

"It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Skylar Hoffman’s senior year at her preppy East Coast boarding school should have been perfect:
amazing boyfriend
the coolest friends
the most desirable dorm
But it’s far from it. To her dismay, Skylar’s not going to rule senior year because she’s stuck in Abbot House, a tiny dorm known for, well, nothing. Living with a group of strangers everyone thinks is lame is bad enough. Worse is that Skylar wasn’t exactly truthful about how she spent summer break in Los Angeles—and her little white lie is causing her once rock-solid romance to crumble fast. And when it turns out that Skylar’s best friend is the one responsible for having her booted from Lincoln? It’s an all-out war.

Stepping out of her comfort zone never felt so scary—or necessary. But everything is different now. Including, maybe, Skylar herself . . . " - From Goodreads

Will you like it?
This was a book that I pulled off of the shelf from the library, and was pleasantly surprised by the story.  Skylar grew so much over the course of this story.  She was very snobbish and very standoffish from her new roommates.  Eventually she learns to step outside of her comfort zone, and finally find herself.  This would be a nice beach read.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book 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.

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
Published by Feiwel & Friends in February 2017
Debut Author 2017

"A 17-year-old pirate captain intentionally allows herself to get captured by enemy pirates in this thrilling YA adventure.

Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map—the key to a legendary treasure trove—seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.

More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate, Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King." - From Goodreads

Will you like it?
I wasn't entirely sure how to feel about this book.  There was a lot of telling vs. showing about the background of Alosa, and I'm not entirely sure it's my favorite way of finding out the backstory.

The action was awesome!  The last 1/3 of the book made up for the dancing Riden and Alosa do.  I loved how smart and strong Alosa was to get out of all of her scrapes.  She never let anything get in the way of what she wanted.

Overall, this book would be perfect for someone who likes a lot of action mixed with their romance.

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

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.

By Your Side by Kasie West

By Your Side by Kasie West
Published by Harper Teen in January 2017

"When Autumn Collins finds herself accidentally locked in the library for an entire weekend, she doesn’t think things could get any worse. But that’s before she realizes that Dax Miller is locked in with her. Autumn doesn’t know much about Dax except that he’s trouble. Between the rumors about the fight he was in (and that brief stint in juvie that followed it) and his reputation as a loner, he’s not exactly the ideal person to be stuck with. Still, she just keeps reminding herself that it is only a matter of time before Jeff, her almost-boyfriend, realizes he left her in the library and comes to rescue her.

Only he doesn’t come. No one does.

Instead it becomes clear that Autumn is going to have to spend the next couple of days living off vending-machine food and making conversation with a boy who clearly wants nothing to do with her. Except there is more to Dax than meets the eye. As he and Autumn first grudgingly, and then not so grudgingly, open up to each other, Autumn is struck by their surprising connection. But can their feelings for each other survive once the weekend is over and Autumn’s old life, and old love interest, threaten to pull her from Dax’s side?" -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
This book was a little heavier than Kasie West's normal chipper rom-coms.  By Your Side deals with foster parents and anxiety.  I also really liked that the entire novel wasn't set in the library.  They leave halfway through and have to deal with their problems in the real world, not the isolated library.

I liked that the problems were real, not just ones that could be pushed under a rug and forgotten.  When Autumn finally has her first panic attack in front of her friends, the circumstances that brought it on also made my hands clammy.  Kasie West did a great job portraying anxiety and how crippling it could be.  I already have Kasie West books as must-reads, and this book solidified that for me.

Disclosure: I purchased my own copy of this book.

The Last of August by Brittany Cavallaro

The Last of August by Brittany Cavallaro
Published by Katherine Tegen Books in February 2017
Charlotte Holmes #2

"Jamie Watson and Charlotte Holmes are looking for a winter break reprieve in Sussex after a fall semester that almost got them killed. But nothing about their time off is proving simple, including Holmes and Watson’s growing feelings for each other. When Charlotte’s beloved uncle Leander goes missing from the Holmes estate—after being oddly private about his latest assignment in a German art forgery ring—the game is afoot once again, and Charlotte throws herself into a search for answers.

So begins a dangerous race through the gritty underground scene in Berlin and glittering art houses in Prague, where Holmes and Watson discover that this complicated case might change everything they know about their families, themselves, and each other." -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
I was totally shocked by the ending of this book.  I don't want to spoil anything, but a match is finally thrown on the Moriarty/Holmes feud.

Otherwise, Charlotte and Jamie are now navigating their own relationship.  There is almost too much angst with their relationship, and I had to keep reminding myself that they are only 16 in the book.  In a lot of the book, Jamie mopes around because he feels like he is unwanted.

Overall, this book was darker than the first.  I can only assume that the conclusion to this trilogy will be darker yet, and I really hope everyone does not end up dead.

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

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.

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalo

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
Published by Jimmy Patterson in September 2016
Stalking Jack the Ripper #1

"Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world." - From Goodreads

Will you like it?
If you like murder, Victorian London, mysteries, mayhem, or horror, you will love this book.  I listened to the audiobook version, and I loved the narrator's accent.  She made the whole book come alive for me.

There was one part that mostly gave away who Jack was, so that wasn't as entertaining as I thought it was going to be.  Also, the ending was not entirely realistic.  I think Audrey would have been bound by society's rules for learning about the forensic sciences.   I still really enjoyed this book, and I will add the rest of the series to my to-read shelf on Goodreads.

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

How to Break a Boy by Laurie Devore

How to Break a Boy by Laurie Devore
Published by Imprint in January 2017
2017 Debut Author Challenge

"Olivia Clayton has mastered the art of tearing others down to stay on top. She and her best friend, Adrienne, rule their small southern town like all good mean girls do--through intimidation and manipulation.

After Olivia suffers a family tragedy and catches Adrienne sleeping with her boyfriend, Olivia is over it. She decides to make a change--but it's impossible to resist taking Adrienne down one last time. Up to her old tricks, Olivia convinces golden boy Whit DuRant to be her SAT tutor and her fake boyfriend. But when it starts to feel real, Whit gets caught up in Olivia and Adrienne's war.

Olivia may ruin everything she touches, but this time she won't go down without a fight--not if it means losing Whit.

And definitely not if it means losing what's left of herself." - From Goodreads

Will you like it?
I loved this book.  I struggled with this book.  Olivia and Adrienne are total mean girls.  They enjoy breaking down other people, and take pleasure in humiliating others.  Until Olivia's brother dies, and that event gives Olivia a wake-up call.  She knows wants to go away to college, but without a great SAT score that's not going to happen.  Whit DuRant comes in and helps her, but then becomes the focus of Adrienne's wrath.

I was astounded by the lengths that each girl would go to one-up the other.  I was flabbergasted by the lengths they would go to to get back at people.  Everything that happens in the book is because of grief.

I would recommend this book to anyone that loves contemporary.  I can't wait to devour anything else Laurie Devore writes.

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

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 Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett by Chelsea Sedoti

The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett by Chelsea Sedoti
Published by Sourcebooks Fire in January 2017
2017 Debut Author Challenge

"Hawthorn wasn't trying to insert herself into a missing person's investigation. Or maybe she was. But that's only because Lizzie Lovett's disappearance is the one fascinating mystery their sleepy town has ever had. Bad things don't happen to popular girls like Lizzie Lovett, and Hawthorn is convinced she'll turn up at any moment-which means the time for speculation is now.

So Hawthorn comes up with her own theory for Lizzie's disappearance. A theory way too absurd to take seriously...at first. The more Hawthorn talks, the more she believes. And what better way to collect evidence than to immerse herself in Lizzie's life? Like getting a job at the diner where Lizzie worked and hanging out with Lizzie's boyfriend. After all, it's not as if he killed her-or did he?" - From Goodreads

Will you like it?
This book was definitely a weird book for me to read.  Hawthorn was a very weird girl.  She struggled with high school (who doesn't?).  After the news of Lizzie Lovett's disappearance came out, Hawthorne becomes so obsessed with Lizzie.  Hawthorne wants to know everything about her.  Eventually she ends up working Lizzie's old job, dating Lizzie's old boyfriend, and even searching her apartment.

Lizzie Lovett's disappearance is the catalyst that Hawthorne needs to finally figure her life out.  I loved the ending.  As the author puts it, "the story doesn't end, another one simply begins".  If you love character driven stories, then you need to read this book.

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

Underwater by Marisa Reichardt

Underwater by Marisa Reichardt
Published by Farrar, Straus, & Giroux in January 2016
Debut Challenge 2016

"Morgan didn’t mean to do anything wrong that day. Actually, she meant to do something right. But her kind act inadvertently played a role in a deadly tragedy. In order to move on, Morgan must learn to forgive—first someone who did something that might be unforgivable, and then herself.

But Morgan can’t move on. She can’t even move beyond the front door of the apartment she shares with her mother and little brother. Morgan feels like she’s underwater, unable to surface. Unable to see her friends. Unable to go to school.

When it seems Morgan can’t hold her breath any longer, a new boy moves in next door. Evan reminds her of the salty ocean air and the rush she used to get from swimming. He might be just what she needs to help her reconnect with the world outside."

Will you like it?
I loved the slow evolution of Morgan over the entire book.  She transitioned slowly from being total recluse to going back to a version of her old normal.  Morgan also struggled with father issues, and that also played a huge part in her wanting to become better.

I really liked Evan.  He understood what Morgan went through, but didn't take any of her crap.  I truly appreciated him standing up for himself.  Yes, Morgan was sick but that didn't mean that she needed to treat him like crap.  I loved their relationship.

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my local library.

Bad Blood by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Bad Blood by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Published by Disney-Hyperion in November 2016
Naturals #4

"When Cassie Hobbes joined the FBI's Naturals program, she had one goal: uncover the truth about her mother's murder. But now, everything Cassie thought she knew about what happened that night has been called into question. Her mother is alive, and the people holding her captive are more powerful—and dangerous—than anything the Naturals have faced so far.

As Cassie and the team work to uncover the secrets of a group that has been killing in secret for generations, they find themselves racing a ticking clock.

New victims. New betrayals. New secrets.

When the bodies begin piling up, it soon becomes apparent that this time, the Naturals aren't just hunting serial killers." - From Goodreads

Will you like it?
This series ender blew my mind.  It wasn't always an action-packed rollercoaster, but Barnes definitely knows how to carefully craft her story.  Her story meandered and took a couple of sharp turns, coming to an ending that I would have never thought was possible.  I don't want to give away anymore of the plot, because it is well worth going in blind so you can be totally surprised.

I'm going to miss this series.  I love "true" crime, and this series was a very unique take on the police procedurals I love so dearly.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book 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.

This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp
Published by Sourcebooks Fire in January 2016
Debut Challenge 2016

"10:00 a.m. The principal of Opportunity High School finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.

10:02 a.m. The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class.

10:03 a.m. The auditorium doors won't open.

10:05 a.m. Someone starts shooting.

Told from four different perspectives over the span of fifty-four harrowing minutes, terror reigns as one student’s calculated revenge turns into the ultimate game of survival. " - From Goodreads

Will you like it?
This book.  So many strong emotions.  So many brutal moments.  I wish I would have found out more about each of the characters.  It was a pretty short book, so there would have been enough space to delve into the backgrounds more.  I especially wanted to know more about the shooter, and maybe even have a chapter with his point-of-view so that we could get a sense of how he worked.  This had a lot of violence, so this isn't a book for those who are sensitive to it.

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

Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Gemina by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers in October 2016
The Illuminae Files #2

"Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.  Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy’s most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.

When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station’s wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands."  -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
This series is amazing.  I love how it incorporates so many different documents, which kept me engaged as a reader.  Fans of science fiction will definitely love this story, especially when they talk about Gemina (I don't want to spoil anything!).  I was actually worried when I found out the second story wouldn't take place entirely with the first characters, but Kaufman & Kristoff do very well in tying the first book into the second  without any problems.

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