Tag Archives: YA

Keystone by Katie Delahanty – a Review

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Keystone by Katie Delahanty – a Review

 

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Description:
When Ella Karman debuts on the Social Stock Exchange, she finds out life as a high-profile “Influencer” isn’t what she expected. Everyone around her is consumed by their rankings, in creating the smoke and mirrors that make them the envy of the world. But then Ella’s best friend betrays her, her rankings tank, and she loses—everything.

Leaving her old life behind, she joins Keystone, a secret school for thieves, where students are being trained to steal everything analog and original because something—or someone—is changing history to suit their needs.

Partnered with the annoyingly hot—and utterly impossible—Garrett Alexander, who has plenty of his own secrets, Ella is forced to return to the Influencer world, while unraveling a conspiracy that began decades ago.

One wrong move and she could lose everything—again.

 

 Review:

Keystone by Katie Delahanty is a little different from what I usually read. It’s basically a story of social media gone mad!! From birth you are put on a social platform, your whole life is for public viewing, the more views you get, the more adulation you get. If your at the top of the “social stock exchange” then there is nothing you won’t do to stay there…..

Once you get use to the jumping from past to present it an interesting read. Ella is the product of a social moment (no love) her “parents” did it to provide themselves with more ratings.

And when Ella meets a young man, (but that’s not in her timeline yet,) he has to go, and Ella is punished!! 

Meeting social outcasts (or disconnects) Ella realises there is more to life than popping your life out there for all to view. And they take her to Keystone…..

Keystone is like a school for thieves. And Ella is totally out of her comfort zone. The school needs to prove to the world that someone is out to change the past. Why? And for what gain? So they steal analogue (books and anything that’s not digital) 

The interaction between Garrett and Ella (she’s now called Elisha) is fun to read, their bickering will surely lead to something, (even thoughts has a girlfriend) and finding true friends, but the fake friends she had outside of Keystone. 

All this makes good reading. And all the secrets everyone has. What is Garrett hiding? Will Ella tell him about her parentage? 

With the cliffhanger ending, you know I’m going to need the answer….. 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy provided by Publisher

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Regretting You by Colleen Hoover-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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Regretting You by Colleen Hoover-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 10, 2019

Morgan Grant and her sixteen-year-old daughter, Clara, would like nothing more than to be nothing alike.

Morgan is determined to prevent her daughter from making the same mistakes she did. By getting pregnant and married way too young, Morgan put her own dreams on hold. Clara doesn’t want to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Her predictable mother doesn’t have a spontaneous bone in her body.

With warring personalities and conflicting goals, Morgan and Clara find it increasingly difficult to coexist. The only person who can bring peace to the household is Chris—Morgan’s husband, Clara’s father, and the family anchor. But that peace is shattered when Chris is involved in a tragic and questionable accident. The heartbreaking and long-lasting consequences will reach far beyond just Morgan and Clara.

While struggling to rebuild everything that crashed around them, Morgan finds comfort in the last person she expects to, and Clara turns to the one boy she’s been forbidden to see. With each passing day, new secrets, resentment, and misunderstandings make mother and daughter fall further apart. So far apart, it might be impossible for them to ever fall back together.

••••••••••

REVIEW: REGRETTING YOU by Colleen Hoover is a contemporary, YA to adult, stand alone multi-genre story line focusing on thirty-four year old, Morgan Grant and her sixteen year old daughter Clara.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Morgan and Clara) using present day and memories from the past, REGRETTING YOU follows the struggling relationship between Morgan Grant and her sixteen year old daughter Clara. A tragic accident will claim the life of Morgan’s husband and Clara’s father Chris, an accident that will destroy not only the life of Morgan and Clara, but of Chris’ best friend Jonah Sullivan. Secrets will begin to unravel revealing years of betrayal and lies forcing Morgan, Clara and Jonah to wonder if everything about their lives were a lie.

Like all teenagers, Clara struggles in the aftermath of her father’s tragic accident, and takes her frustration and anger out on her mother but unbeknownst to Clara there is more going on behind the scenes than anyone could have imagined. Morgan Grant battles between head and heart in the months following her husband’s death. Life goes on but guilt and the overwhelming knowledge of betrayal and deception force Morgan to step back and reconsider where everyone goes, from here.

REGRETTING YOU follows three separate paths that intersect and converge: we follow sixteen year old Clara as she discovers first love; Morgan Grant as she discovers the truth; and a mother-daughter relationship that implodes in the aftermath of death, and the ultimate betrayal.

The cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters include Chris Grant’s best friend Jonah Sullivan; Morgan’s sister Jenny; Clara’s boyfriend Miller Adams, and her best friend Lexie.

REGRETTING YOU is a story of betrayal, secrets and lies; of revelations, heartbreak and grief; of second chances, acceptance and moving forward. Colleen Hoover pulls the reader into a captivating and intense story of family, friendship, and the true meaning of love. The premise is raw, real and edgy; the characters are passionate and angry. A tragic story of love, loss and lies, REGRETTING YOU is a story you won’t soon forget.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

Despite knowing I just pissed my mother off by being half an hour late for curfew, I still can’t stop smiling. That kiss with Miller was worth it. I bring my fingers to my lips.I’ve never been kissed like that. The guys I’ve kissed in the past all seemed like they were in a hurry, wanting to shove their tongue in my mouth before I changed my mind.

Miller was the opposite. He was so patient, yet in a chaotic way. It was like he’d thought about kissing me so often that he wanted to savor every second of it.

I don’t know that I’ll ever not smile when I think about that kiss. It kind of makes me nervous for school tomorrow. I’m not sure where that kiss leaves us, but it felt like it was a statement. I just don’t know what exactly that statement was.

My phone buzzes in my back pocket. I roll over and pull it out, then fall onto my back again. It’s a text from Miller.

Miller: I don’t know about you, but sometimes when something significant happens, I get home and think of all the things I wish had gone differently. All the things I wish I would have said.

Me: Is that happening now?

Miller: Yes. I don’t feel like I was entirely forthcoming with you.

I roll onto my stomach, hoping to ease the nausea that just passed through me. It was going so well…

Me: What weren’t you honest about?

Miller: I was honest. Just not entirely forthcoming, if there’s a difference. I left a lot out of our conversation that I want you to know.

Me: Like what?

Miller: Like why I’ve liked you for as long as I have.

I wait for him to elaborate, but he doesn’t. I’m staring at my phone with so much intensity that I almost throw it when it rings unexpectedly. It’s Miller’s phone number. I hesitate before answering it, because I rarely ever talk on the phone. I much prefer texting. But he knows I have my phone in my hand, so I can’t very well send it to voice mail. I swipe my finger across the screen and then roll off the bed and head to my bathroom for more privacy. I sit on the edge of the tub.

“Hello?”

“Hey,” he says.

“Sorry. It’s too much to text.”

“You’re kind of freaking me out with all the innuendos.”

“Oh. No, it’s all good. Don’t be nervous. I just should have said this to you in person.” Miller inhales a deep breath, and then on the exhale, he starts talking. “When I was fifteen, I watched you in a school play. You had the lead role, and at one point, you performed a monologue that went on for like two whole minutes. You were so convincing and you looked so heartbroken I was ready to walk onto the stage and hug you. When the play was finally over and the actors came back out onto the stage, you were smiling and laughing, and there wasn’t a trace of that character left in you. I was in awe, Clara. You have this charisma about you that I don’t think you’re aware of, but it’s captivating. I was a scrawny kid as a sophomore, and even though I’m a year older than you, I hadn’t quite filled out yet, and I had acne and felt inferior to you, so I never worked up the courage to approach you. Another year went by, and I continued to admire you from afar. Like that time you ran for school treasurer and tripped walking off the stage, but you jumped up and did this weird little kick and threw your arms up in the air and made the entire audience laugh. Or that time Mark Avery popped your bra strap in the hallway, and you were so sick of him doing it that you followed him to his classroom, reached inside your hoodie, and took off your bra and then threw it at him. I remember you yelling something like, ‘If you want to touch a bra so damn bad, just keep it, you perv!’ Then you stormed out. It was epic. Everything you do is epic, Clara. Which is why I never had the courage to approach you, because an epic girl needs an equally epic guy, and I guess I’ve just never felt epic enough for you. I’ve said epic so many times in the last fifteen seconds—I’m so sorry.”

He’s out of breath when he finally stops talking.

I’m smiling so hard my cheeks ache. I had no idea he felt this way. No idea.

I wait a few seconds to make sure he’s done; then I finally respond. I’m pretty sure he can hear from my voice alone that I’m smiling. “First of all, it’s hard to believe you were ever insecure. And second, I think you’re pretty epic, too, Miller. Always have. Even when you were scrawny and had acne.”

He laughs a little. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

I can hear him sigh. “Glad I got that off my chest, then. See you at school tomorrow?”

“Good night.”

We end the call, and I don’t know how long I sit and stare at my phone.

 


 

You are ‘label-less’ in the fact that you write in several genres. Readers never know what to expect next. If someone asks, how do you label yourself?

When I self-published my first novel I had no idea what genre to put it in. I thought I had written a drama but it turns to that I had written a romance. I’ve learned a lot since then, but I still don’t put a lot of weight in genre when I write. When your best friend is begging you to read a book, it’s not going to matter what genre it is when someone you trust is passionate about the story.

To keep all of your stories and characters straight, you must be very organized.

I’m the most disorganized person you will ever meet! I have no schedule. I can’t wake up before nine in the morning. I probably don’t go to bed until like three in the morning. I usually work about 16 hours a day.

What happens if you get blocked when you are writing?

If I get stuck writing, I go for a drive and play music. Music really helps me plot. I love The Avett Brothers, X Ambassadors, Airborne Toxic Event…I could go on and on.

What can you tell readers about your latest release Regretting You?

I would spoil it if I told you about it! Most of my books are like that. I can’t say what they are about or it spoils it. But I can say that Regretting You is told from a dual point-of-view centered on the inner lives of both a teen and adult protagonist.

Sounds like lots of different types of readers will be interested!

Absolutely. I wanted to write a book that bridged the gap between young adult and contemporary romance so that mothers can read with their daughters. I think it’s exciting to see people sharing reading experiences.

Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of several novels, including the bestselling women’s fiction novel It Ends with Us and the bestselling psychological thriller Verity. She has won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance three years in a row—for Confess (2015), It Ends with Us (2016), and Without Merit (2017). Confess was adapted into a seven-episode online series. In 2015, Hoover and her family founded the Bookworm Box, a bookstore and monthly subscription service that offers signed novels donated by authors. All profits go to various charities each month to help those in need. Hoover lives in Texas with her husband and their three boys. Visit www.colleenhoover.com.
 
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Crown of Oblivion by Julie Eshbaugh – a Review

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Crown of Oblivion by Julie Eshbaugh – a Review

 

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Description:
Astrid is the surrogate for Princess Renya, which means she bears the physical punishment if Renya steps out of line. Astrid has no choice—she and her family are Outsiders, the lower class of people without magic and without citizenship.

But there is a way out of this life—competing in the deadly Race of Oblivion. To enter the race, an Outsider is administered the drug Oblivion, which wipes their memory clear of their past as they enter a new world with nothing to help them but a slip of paper bearing their name and the first clue. It’s not as simple as solving a puzzle, however—for a majority of the contestants, the race ends in death. But winning would mean not only freedom for Astrid, but citizenship and health care for her entire family. With a dying father to think of, Astrid is desperate to prevail.

From the beginning, the race is filled with twists and turns. One of them is Darius, a fellow racer Astrid meets but isn’t sure she can trust. Though they team up in the race, as Astrid’s memories begin to resurface, she remembers just who he was to her—a scorned foe who may want revenge. Astrid also starts to notice she has powers no Outsider should—which could help her win the race, but also make her a target if anyone finds out. With stakes that couldn’t be higher, Astrid must decide what is more important: risking her life to remember the mysteries of the past, or playing a cutthroat game in order to win her—and her family’s—freedom.

 

 

Review:

Crown of Oblivion by Julie Eshbaugh is a YA Fantasy novel. Astrid Jael, our heroine, is a surrogate outsider to the Princess Reyna, with both being very close.  However, Astrid suffers consequences, such as being whipped, for anything that the family deems Reyna has done wrong; Astrid has the scars on her back to prove her loyalty to Reyna.  But when Astrid tries to help her family, even with Reyna’s help, her father dies and Astrid needs to step up to save her young brother.

She decides to enter the Race of Oblivion, which is a death defying race (similar a little to Hunger Games), with only the winner receiving full citizenship with benefits for the entire family.  The race is difficult and brutal, as for most of the contestants, the race will end in their deaths.   This will free her brother and herself as surrogatea; despite the low odds, Astrid signs up to enter the race.

Each contestant is given a memory altering drug (Oblivion) that wipes out their memory, being in the middle of nowhere and trying to find clues to further them in the game.  Astrid was a wonderful heroine, who was loyal, strong, smart, independent and who had secret magical ability, which she kept hidden until she needed to use it to save herself.  Along the way, Astrid meets many people who would help her or try to kill her, as well as finding her long lost older brother, who turns out to be a member of the OLA (revolutionary group).  Determined to do this alone, Astrid reluctantly accepts the help of Darius, to partner up until they would reach the end. 

What follows is an intense, exciting, action filled adventure that will have us on the edge of our seat throughout the many violent and dangerous situations as they get closer to the end. Esbaugh gives us some great secondary characters besides Astrid; Darius, Reyna, both of her brothers, and a nasty villain in Prince Lars. I did love Astrid, and liked Darius after a bit.    As we raced to the climax, there were so many twists and turns that caught us by surprise, and changing things drastically. 

Crown of Oblivion was not only exciting and intense, but it was an intriguing and compelling story line.  The world building was very well done and different.  Julie Esbaugh did a wonderful job writing this story in a difficult world.   I have not seen if this is going to be a series, but I thought that though the end was satisfying, there were things left open that could result in another book or two.  I suggest if you enjoy YA fantasy, you should read Crown of Oblivion.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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A Constellation of Roses by Miranda Asebedo – a Review

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A Constellation of Roses by Miranda Asebedo – a Review

 

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Description:
Ever since her mother walked out, Trix McCabe has been determined to make it on her own. And with her near-magical gift for pulling valuables off unsuspecting strangers, Trix is confident she has what it takes to survive. Until she’s caught and given a choice: jail time, or go live with her long-lost family in the tiny town of Rocksaw, Kansas.

Trix doesn’t plan to stick around Rocksaw long, but there’s something special about her McCabe relatives that she is drawn to. Her aunt, Mia, bakes pies that seem to cure all ills. Her cousin, Ember, can tell a person’s deepest secret with the touch of a hand. And Trix’s great-aunt takes one look at Trix’s palm and tells her that if she doesn’t put down roots somewhere, she won’t have a future anywhere.

Before long, Trix feels like she might finally belong with this special group of women in this tiny town in Kansas. But when her past comes back to haunt her, she’ll have to decide whether to take a chance on this new life . . . or keep running from the one she’s always known.

 

 

Review:

A Constellation of Roses by Miranda Asebedo is my first book written by this author, and upon completing this book, it will not be my last.  Trix McCabe, our 17 year old heroine was a wonderful and flawed young girl, who had a rough childhood, with her mother leaving her to live on her own.  Trix has a magical gift of stealing from people so fast, that no one realizes their items are missing.  Trix has managed to survive on the streets, motels, friends, etc; until one day someone calls the police and Trix is given a choice….go live with a long lost family and finish school or go to jail.

Trix moves to Rocksaw, Kansas, where her great aunt (Auntie), another aunt (Mia) and her cousin (Ember) live; to her surprise they each have some sort of magical ability, which seems to be a McCabe tradition.  Auntie tells fortunes; Mia bakes pies that magically fixes emotions and Ember can read secrets upon touch. 

Trix is determined to run as soon as she can, but slowly she begins to feel like she is now part of a family, something she has never really had.  Mia was a wonderful aunt to Trix, always looking out for her and trying to keep her happy.  Ember was shy at first, but in a short time they became close friends. Trix worked in the bakery, which is one of the popular stops in Rocksaw, especially for the wonderful pies that keeps people happy and content. 

Trix will also meet at school, a boy (Jasper) who has his own issues based on the death of his brother due to suicide.  In a short time, Trix will mesh with Ember to join the group of Jasper’s friends.  As Trix begins to feel happiness, she will learn about her long-lost mother that will bring back the past and make her want to run.  Will Trix come to terms with her past and stay with her new family in Rocksaw?

What follows is a wonderful heartwarming story that is surrounded by many emotions, as well as serious issues.  Trix was a wonderful character who evolved over the course of the story, and the entire McCabe ladies were fantastic.  I loved Mia, who would go out of her way to help Trix through the trying times, not to mention those wonderful pies she made.  (I certainly would love to try one of them  ? ).  Ember was another great character, who needed Trix in her life as much as Trix needed her.  Auntie was a character all the way. Jasper was also great, having his own issues, that would bring him closer to Trix.

A Constellation of Roses was wonderfully written so very well by Miranda Asebedo.  This is considered YA, but trust me when I say that everyone should read this heartwarming story that also touches on depression, abandonment and suicide.  I suggest you read A Constellation of Roses, as it is a must read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Bookworm Crush by Lisa Brown Roberts – a Review

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The Bookworm Crush by Lisa Brown Roberts – a Review

 

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Description:
This spinoff of The Replacement Crush featuring Amy and Toff is sure to melt your heart.

Shy bookworm Amy McIntyre is about to compete for the chance to interview her favorite author, who hasn’t spoken to the press in years. The only way to win is to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight, but that level of confidence has never come easy.

The solution? A competition coach. The problem? The best person for the job is the guy she’s secretly crushing on…local surfer celebrity Toff Nichols.

He’s a player. He’s a heartthrob. He makes her forget basic things, like how to breathe. How can she feel any confidence around him?

To her surprise, Toff agrees to help. And he’s an excellent teacher. Amy feels braver—maybe even brave enough to admit her feelings for him. When their late night practices become less about coaching and more about making out, Amy’s newfound confidence wavers.

But does Toff really like her or is this just another lesson?

 

Review:

The Book Worm Crush by Lisa Brown Roberts reminds me of an early Taylor Swift song, it’s what I picture she would write a book about if she was ever an author.

This is a cute little story that feels younger adult than a true romance novel, but that does not take away from it by any means. For a first time read of this author, I enjoyed it, and found it heart-warming and funny.

 Amy is a bookworm (much like the people reading this) and is all about making her dream come true, but in order for that to happen she has to change who she is. She can’t be the wall flower she is anymore; she needs to be the out-spoken, in your face with confidence type.


Amy has a problem, she needs to be more than she is, and the person she goes to for help is non other than Toff. Toff the local surfer dude she has a crazy crush on. Everyone knows Toff, he’s the hot, popular, all girls want to be with, all guys want to be guy. Like a miracle sent from above, Toff agrees to help Amy, and what a helper he is, but what happens when the teaching relationship turns to more. When Amy’s feelings turn into something deeper?


Does Toff really care about her?

Was any of it even real?


Well go get it to find out!!!

 

Reviewed by Sarah

Copy provided by Publisher

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Fireborne by Rosaria Munda – a Review

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Fireborne by Rosaria Munda – a Review

 

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Description:
Annie and Lee were just children when a brutal revolution changed their world, giving everyone—even the lowborn—a chance to test into the governing class of dragonriders.

Now they are both rising stars in the new regime, despite backgrounds that couldn’t be more different. Annie’s lowborn family was executed by dragonfire, while Lee’s aristocratic family was murdered by revolutionaries. Growing up in the same orphanage forged their friendship, and seven years of training have made them rivals for the top position in the dragonriding fleet.

But everything changes when survivors from the old regime surface, bent on reclaiming the city.

With war on the horizon and his relationship with Annie changing fast, Lee must choose to kill the only family he has left or to betray everything he’s come to believe in. And Annie must decide whether to protect the boy she loves . . . or step up to be the champion her city needs.

 

 

Review:

Fireborne by Rosaria Munda is the first book in her new The Aurelian Cycle series. When I decided to read this new YA fantasy novel, I wasn’t sure what to expect as it was a new author for me.  I am happy to say I loved Fireborne and cannot wait to read more from Rosaria Munda.

The POV’s are from Lee, our hero, and Annie, our heroine.   We do get flash backs to the earlier days, when both were orphans, with Lee looking out for Annie.  Both lost their family to the revolution that changed the world; each having the perspective from a different side, such as Lee, secretly coming from royalty and Annie being lowborn.  They left the orphanage together to train with the new regime as dragon riders and 8 years later they both become elite riders. Yes there are Dragons, and I loved how Munda made them emotionally bonded to their assigned rider, with some telepathic between them.  Great part of story.

The story begins with a competition to become a Firstrider, the person who will lead the Dragon army reporting to the leader of Callipolis, with both Lee and Annie rivaling each other, as well as other elite dragonriders.  We learn more secrets about Lee, who is the lone survivor of the Stormscourge, all slaughtered in the revolution; only Annie knows the truth about who Lee really is. Annie is also a lone survivor, as her family was executed for not following the Lord’s orders. Their friendship was a major part of this story, with both of them knowing the past that brought them together, but neither acknowledging their past different lives.  In today’s world they are together, but things are changing that could destroy their friendship and their lives.

As the Firstrider competition continues; Lee is contacted by a survivor of the past, who are determined to bring back the old regime with a new revolution.   Lee has to fight his feelings about the truth about the things his father did as the Lord, and decide which side he belongs with.   Annie is loyal to the current regime, and begins to worry that Lee might betray Callipolis.  War is coming.  Will Lee turn on Annie and their friends?  Will Annie, despite her love for Lee, alert the leader of Lee’s possible betrayal?

I will not tell too much more, as there are many political elements from the past and present, which you need to read from start to finish to follow this story.  I loved Lee and Annie, and the group of friends that we got to know, as well as the emotional bond between them.  Munda did a fantastic job creating these wonderful characters, and giving us an amazing new world.

Fireborne was an exciting, emotional, intense, political, and at times a dark story that held our attention from the start.  The friendship between the dragon rider group was wonderful. I loved the Dragons, and their bond to their riders; it was a sensational element to the story.  The climax was fantastic, with so many twists and turns the kept me on the edge of my seat. I cannot wait for the next book in this series.   Rosaria Munda is now a new author I will need to keep reading.  I suggest you read this start of a fun exciting new series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Unadjusteds by Marisa Noelle – a Review

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The Unadjusteds by Marisa Noelle – a Review

 

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Description:
Sixteen-year-old Silver Melody lives in a world where 80% of the population has modified their DNA. Known as the altereds, those people now possess enhancements like wings, tails, and increased strength or intelligence. Although Silver’s parents created the nanite pill used to deliver these genetic modifications, Silver is proud of her unadjusted state.

However, when the president declares all unadjusteds must take a nanite, Silver has no choice but to flee the city with her father and some friends to prevent the extinction of the unadjusteds.

With Silver’s mother in prison for treason, Silver’s father is the unadjusteds’ only hope at finding a cure. But time is running out as Silver’s father is captured by the president’s almost immortal army. Vicious hellhounds are on Silver’s trail, and her only chance to recover her father involves teaming up with a new group of unlikely friends before all humanity is lost.

 

 

 

Review:

The Unadjusteds by Marisa Noelle is a YA Dystopian story.  Silver Melody, our 16-year-old heroine, lives in a world where most people have been altered, being given pills that enhanced them, such as bulk, strength, wings, telekinetic, etc.  Silver is one of the 20% population that are considered Unadjusteds (did not take the pills).

Silver’s parents helped create the nanite pills that alter people, and they are forced to work for the evil President Bear, who is determined to make everyone altered, even if many die from taking those pills.  Silver lost her best friend after she had taken the pill, and swore that she would never take the pill.  Silver is well known among the people, as her mother was accused of treason, because she did not want to create more pills.  Despite not taking pills, Silver is very strong and fast, as she trains hard and can beat most people.    When President Bear decides to force the remaining 20% to take the pills, Silver runs away with her friend Matt, and along the way they find more unadjusted people, as well as altered, who want to stop the evil president.

What follows is an exciting and intense adventure that pits Silver and her new friends against so many dangerous situations, including massive altered soldiers, or the deadly hellhounds that President Bear had his scientists create.  Silver, Matt, Joe, Paige, Emma and others are willing to do whatever it takes to try to free Silver’s parents, and allow them to create a cure for all.  But to do so they have to find a way to get past the enemies, find her parents, and kill the evil president.

I really liked Silver, as she was a great heroine, and the secondary characters working with her were an awesome team.  The last third of the book escalated the danger and violence, holding our breaths to see who will survive.  To tell too much more would be spoilers, and ruin it for you. 

The Unadjusteds was a well written, intense and emotional story line that kept my attention from start to finish.  I was surprised how much I enjoyed this story. Marisa Noelle did a fabulous job giving us an exciting story, wonderful heroine and great secondary characters. The ending was wild and emotional, and though it is not noted to be continuing, I feel it left things open for another book.   I wholly suggest if you like an action-packed dystopian theme, you should be reading The Unajusteds.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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A Treason of Thorns by Laura E. Weymouth – a Review

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A Treason of Thorns by Laura E. Weymouth – a Review

 

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Description:
Violet Sterling has spent the last seven years in exile, longing to return to Burleigh House. One of the six great houses of England, Burleigh’s magic always kept the countryside well. And as a child, this magic kept Violet happy, draping her in flowers while she slept, fashioning secret hiding places for her, and lighting fires on the coldest nights to keep her warm.

Everything shattered, though, when her father committed high treason trying to free Burleigh from the king’s oppressive control. He was killed, and Vi was forced into hiding.

When she’s given a chance to go back, she discovers Burleigh has run wild with grief. Vines and briars are crumbling the walls. Magic that once enriched the surrounding countryside has turned dark and deadly, twisting lush blooms into thorns, poisoning livestock and destroying crops. Burleigh’s very soul is crying out in pain.

Vi would do anything to help, and soon she finds herself walking the same deadly path as her father all those years before. Vi must decide how far she’s willing to go to save her house—before her house destroys everything she’s ever known.

 

 

Review:

A Treason of Thorns by Laura E. Weymouth is a fantasy YA standalone novel.  We meet our heroine, Violet Sterling, who is living in a small fishing town, when she sees someone from her past.  Violet was banished 7 years ago by the King, as her father, who was the caretaker of their home,  was punished for high treason and forced to live in their home unable to leave until he died.  When Violet sees the King, she knows her father is dead, and it is time for her to return to Burleigh House, a sentient home filled with magic.  When Violet returns, she finds Burleigh in deep disrepair, including the lands surrounding the house, and is given a few months to bring Burleigh back to its former glory, or the King will burn it down.  Violet also finds her friend Wyn, who was forced to stay with her father during those 7 years, and was shocked at his haggard appearance. 

Violet as a child was brought up by her father to love the house and its magic, to devote her life to Burleigh, especially when she is older and becomes the caretaker.  She loved everything about Burleigh to the point of obsession, as well as loving the house.  With 7 years having passed, with no contact, Violet finds everything changed, and is determined to help the house regain its freedom, but fears for Wyn’s safety, as well as her own, as Burleigh has also changed for the worse.

Violet is determined to find a way to free the house from its binding that is destroying Burleigh, and possibly both her and Wyn’s life.   What follows is an exciting and emotional story, where we go back into Burleigh’s memories of the good days when Violet was a child, and the sad changes during those 7 years, and when her father dies; looking for clues that will reveal the true hidden secrets.  Violet and some friends will desperately try to find the hidden secret that is needed to save them all.

This is a difficult review to write, as you really need to read this book to understand.  A Treason of Thorns was a different type of story about a sentient house with magic, the family that lived there in a somewhat gothic theme, with a great heroine and very good secondary characters. I suggest you read A Treason of Thorns.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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