New Releases

Review: The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen

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As a mom of a very strong girl, who doesn’t like to read, I try to find books that I think she would like. It’s my job, ya know? When I requested this book I wasn’t sure what it was even about. I’ve a cover snob, so that’s what caught my eye. And let me tell you, I am so glad it did.

The moment I finished reading I sat back and smiled. Huge. I’ve been very picky with my YA selections this year. But let me tell you, they’ve been very good selections. This one has just been added to my Teen Rec list. The concept of this story was so unique, and from the very first sentence I was sucked in.

Fie is a part of the Crow caste, which are undertakers and mercy killers. Like I said, unique. When she unknowingly helped the prince and his body double fake their own deaths, she must help them complete their mission or else face an almost certain death. Crows are treated so badly, even though they’re so important. Fie isn’t happy about this new mission because as the saying goes, “No good deed goes unpunished,” nothing turns out the way she hoped. This isn’t your typical fantasy where the girl is the strongest and most powerful and the boys are along for the ride. While she is strong, it’s not overly so. Everyone has their place in this book and it was perfect.

The dynamic between Prince Jasimir, Hawk Tavin and Fie was just wonderful. Snarky attitudes lead to friendships which leads to so much more. They hope for a change in their world and will do anything for it. I loved watching them work together for the greater good. They had to look beyond just themselves and things of the generations to come. I couldn’t stop reading. Margaret Owen has created this wonderful story that keeps you flipping pages till you forget the world around you.

I am now dying for the next book. This leaves you happy but wanting more. They haven’t quite finished their true mission. If you have a teen in your life, or you’re a huge fan of YA books, then I highly recommend you grab this book.

~Melpomene

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Review: Home for Erring and Outcast Girls by Julie Kibler

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I enjoyed this story for several reasons. The setting, central Texas, is familiar to me. It’s historical fiction, which is always a favorite. And it’s about something I wasn’t familiar with, homes designed to help wayward females get their lives back on track. The author holds nothing back as she describes the hardships of the era. No glossing over things that are unpleasant. The story follows the lives of a couple of main characters, tracing their paths over a period of several years. Children born, children lost, friends and family gained and forgotten. It was a little drawn out in parts and occasionally had me wondering where the story was going. Still, it was an interesting read! 

~Thalia

Buy It Now: Home for Erring and Outcast Girls

Review: The Secret Letter by Debbie Rix

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Trust me when I say, this one does come together at the end. There’s a lot going on, and a long cast of characters to keep straight.

There’s young Magda in Germany, struggling and rebelling against the war. And there’s young Imogene in Europe, trying to concentrate on school while bombs fall all around her. And we have downed English pilots and Nazi officers. Oh and don’t forget the past and present narrative.

But yes, it’s worth it.

~Thalia

Buy It Now: The Secret Letter

Quick review: War(The Four Horseman #2) by Laura Thalassa

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If there were 6 stars, I’d give them to War.

I don’t know how many pages there are but each of them is action packed. So much happened and the % was barely creeping along. I never even noticed! That’s the sign of a great book.

I was sucked in from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down. Was War a bad dude? Yes and no, but you can’t help but love and understand him. He was just doing his job. Miriam was so good with him though. I loved her. She was strong and firm and never gave up. She wanted better for our world and was willing to go toe to toe with him to get it.

Who knew post apocalyptic stories could be so sexy? I mean, the world has crumbled and yet it still turns. Love still happens.

Gah!! I love these books and I can’t wait for the next one!

~Melpomene

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Review: Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner

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Looking for the perfect beach read this summer? Well look no further. This latest offering from Jennifer Weiner is just the thing for lounging with your toes in the sand. Actually, that’s exactly where I started it and finished it two days later. It was that good!

Bethie and Jo, Jo and Bethie. Sisters. Such a complicated word full of implications. Their lives have not been easy, and their relationship has not been ideal. But they’ve always been there for each other through a multitude of tragedies and dramas.

Over the course of their lifetimes, their paths crisscross back and forth between what they dreamed for themselves and what reality gives them. Each sister finds herself at odds with what she’d imagined for her life. There are struggles with sexuality, childhood traumas, family deaths, difficult and overbearing parents, lost loves, and so much more.

This book is so much. It’s a reflection on changing times as we begin in 1950’s era Detroit and end in the year 2016. Society changes, both a lot and not so very much at the same time. It’s a tale of family, whatever that may be. I found myself pulled in from the very first page. When the journey came to an end, I was at a loss. Definitely five stars!

~Thalia

Buy It Now: Mrs. Everything

Review: The Tiger Catcher by Paullina Simons

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My thoughts are all over the place. Bear with me.

After the epicness of The Bronze Horseman I was expecting something similar. This was not it. Was there emotion? Yeah. Heck, I could pinpoint the “Depths of Despair” moment. Will I read the next books? Most definitely. But I have so many mixed feelings right now, it’s hard to put into words.

The Tiger Catcher seemed light hearted and almost a rom com. If you want this epic story that’ll leave you breathless, then you’ll definitely be surprised.

The main heroine, Josephine, was snarky and at times I wanted to shake her. She was selfish and not very appealing at times, but I know there’s more to her than what we saw. She has two more books to turn it around and I believe she will. The hero, Julian, did all the right things and yet his heart was still broken. He is the main reason I’m here. I need him to find his HEA like I need air to breathe.

It was a good story, just not what I was expecting. A magical feel is interwoven throughout this. This is not a straightforward romance. Theirs was a romance through space and time… Once I stopped comparing it to TBH, I realized it still was still a very good story, if not a bit different. I’ve always liked when authors took a chance on something new, so I’m glad I took a chance on this as well.

I look forward to the next one.

~Melpomene

Click the pic to buy and preorder.

Review: Tinfoil Crowns by Erin Jones

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Interesting story…very believable in today’s world of social media obsession. Fit is an up and coming social media star. She’s quickly building quite a following with young fans following her everyday life. She sees it as her way out of a small town existence and road to nowhere. But when her estranged mom is suddenly thrust back into her life, everything gets a lot more confusing. Especially since her mom tried to kill her as a young child in a moment of postpartum psychosis. Fit is the only one in her family who’s unable to find forgiveness in her heart. That determination is put to the test, however, when her future career is on the line. Good story, fun characters, a little quirky at times.

~Thalia

Buy It Now: Tinfoil Crowns

Quick review: Daisies and Devotion by Josi S. Kilpack

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I love this troupe. Friends to lovers have some of the sweetest moments.

In Daises and Devotion, Timothy and Maryann play matchmaker to each other. Maryann wants to find someone who wants her, not her money. And since Timothy’s uncle surprised him with an inheritance, he is now able to search for the “perfect” woman, not just a wealthy woman.

As their searches go on, Maryann gets more and more discouraged. I think part of her always thought that Timothy didn’t look at her for her money, so therefore he would be a good match for her. As he continues with his list, her feelings about herself grow more and more self conscience. But she won’t say anything except to be his loyal friend and confidant.

These two were so sweet in their own heads. They wanted to want someone else but hey kept thinking back on each other. Maryann didn’t fit Timothy’s list at all, but then why couldn’t he stop thinking about her? And why couldn’t Maryann be happy with any of the men that wanted to court her? Why was she always watching Timothy?

This is another Proper Romance that’s the second in a series, but it can totally be a standalone. In fact, we get a glimpse of what I’m hoping is the next story. I’m keeping my eyes opened for that one.

~Melpomene

Dive into this sweet series.

Review: Finale(Caraval #3) by Stephanie Garber

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“I don’t think my heart could be safer than in your hands.”

I’m pretty sure Stephanie Garber is related to Legend. She is full of magic and I was swept away by her storytelling. This trilogy is now one of my most recommended series. From the moment I finished Legendary, I knew I needed more. There were so many secrets that needed to be uncovered. Finale did just that.

Finale takes place about two months after Legendary ends. Scarlett and Donatella’s stories aren’t finished yet. They must choose how they wish to live their lives. Will they settle for what they’ve been given or will they fight for what they truly want?

I was so torn while reading Tella’s chapters. Her heart was being pulled in opposite directions. As a 17 yr old, that was a lot to put on her. Her heart was telling her one thing but her mind was pushing her in the other direction. I got whiplash right along with her. Her journey was one of self discovery and who did she really want to be. And I believe she chose correctly, even as her heart was squeezed a few times. She was definitely stronger than most people would be.

He didn’t kiss her as if he’d simply come back to life. He kissed her as if he’d died, been buried, and clawed his way out of the grave and through the dirt just to get to her.

Scarlett’s story took a complete different route than I thought it would. I wanted to shake her a few times. I wanted her to be with Julian and leave everything else alone, but she just couldn’t. As it turns out, her story took a drastic turn that I never saw coming. She had to dig down deep and find the strength to be able to stay on top of everything that was thrown at her. I’m glad she worked through it and made the choices she did in the end.

Now it wasn’t all trials and tribulations, there was also love. So much love. These girls’ hearts were being fought over and it was a battle to the death. AND I LOVED IT. So many swoony moments that had me grinning like a fool. I just love this book and I can’t wait to have it on my shelf!

~Melpomene

Dive into this magical trilogy! Click pic to buy

Review: Aurora Rising by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

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If you’ve read The Illuminae Files you’ll know that when Jay and Amie get together the reaction is explosive and exciting. And Aurora Rising was no exception. From the very first page I was completely sucked in. I’m chuckling right now cuz I just read the synopsis and it describes these characters to a T.

Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the Academy would touch…

A cocky diplomat with a black belt in sarcasm
A sociopath scientist with a fondness for shooting her bunkmates
A smart-ass techwiz with the galaxy’s biggest chip on his shoulder
An alien warrior with anger management issues
A tomboy pilot who’s totally not into him, in case you were wondering

I mean, who wouldn’t want to read a book with characters like that?! They were all so different but they learned to work together. Misfits finding a family with each other. You will love them.

Even the dedication started it off the right way.

If your squad was hard to find, or you’re still looking, then this one is for you.

You just knew this book would be amazing. And while it has to do with space, it has nothing to do with The Illuminae Files. Jay and Amie just have this space thing down and this is why we love them.

If I was watching this on the big screen, I would’ve been at the edge of my seat, but since I was in bed reading, the best I could do was sit up straighter. 🙂 This book was so much fun! Excitement, antics and emotion. The trifecta if ever I heard of one. Amie and Jay knocked this one out of the park! Can I just say that this book will be SO MUCH FUN in audio‽‽ Seriously. I’m glad I have it preordered. The kiddos loved listening to The Illuminae Files and I know they’ll love this as well. Be sure you have this preordered so you can start reading or listening right away. You don’t wanna hear spoilers!

I cannot wait till the next one!!

~Melpomene

Grab your copy today! Click picture for link.