Young Adult

Preview: The Iron Sword by Julie Kagawa

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Release day: February 1, 2022

What an exciting addition to this series!

While I’m happy we get Ash’s POV this time around, I do miss being in Puck’s head. He’s always so fun. And I was hoping for more romance, if I’m being honest. But alas…

While trying to find Kirian the gang discovers that faery isn’t what they thought it was. The past found a way of sneaking up and changing everything they ever knew. Definitely didn’t see that coming. But I’m hoping for good things in the next one.

If you’re looking for an adventurous YA series, then this is right up your alley. And when I say YA I mean Y-A. There’s no sexy times or uncomfortable violence to worry about. But I love these characters, so I can deal. 🤪

~Melpomene

Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/3rvYHMa

Review: A Captain for Caroline Gray by Julie Wright

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Caroline has had three very unsuccessful seasons and is left with no choice but to sail to India in hopes that she’ll snag a husband there. She doesn’t want this but being a woman in those times often had them doing things they didn’t want.


Thomas has been saving for his own fleet and in doing so he makes this three month trip to India every year. He sees all type of women who hope to find a better life and it makes him sad to think that this is a last resort for many of them. India is not a safe place for gentle bred women. But the money is good, so he continues to do so.


This trip is different however. Thomas meets Caroline and his world is flipped. He’s never felt anything for the girls he’s traveled with before but there’s something about her spirit that draws him. He has a plan for his life and she doesn’t fit in it so he tries to stay away and force himself to stick to the job. But life has a funny way of messing things up.


Caroline isn’t your typical genteel woman which is why she’s here and why she has a harder time making friends. So she sticks by the captain. Even if it kills him.


Soon innocent feelings start to blossom and they both know what her plans are once she arrives in India but again, life happens…


This was a sweet romance to watch unfold. I get so bad for those girls who were made to travel in hopes of finding their HEAs. You know that some didn’t work out for the better but thankfully this one did.


~Melpomene

Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/2Odc97I

Review: The Iron Raven by Julie Kagawa

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Puck has a book!!

I have been waiting years for this. I’m such a sucker for the Fae and I will read all the faerie stories. The Iron Fey was one of my first YA series that I read when I became a reader and I loved it. I read the spin off a few years later and shared them both with my daughter. She was Team Puck, by the way.

When Julie announced that Puck was getting his own series we were both over the moon. When I was given an ARC I wanted to dive right in but I waited til life slowed down so I could give it the attention it required. I am so happy it did that.

I’ll admit as I reading I was a bit nervous for Puck. His story seemed to go off in a way that had me biting my nails. But I trusted Julie to spare my nerves and make things right. AND SHE DID.

We get a new batch of friends, including Keirran, Meghan and Ash’s son. We met him in the spin off series, and he caused a bit of trouble and heartache, but he’s trying to make things right.

There’s a evil that’s lurking and causing lots of issues and it’s up to Puck and his crew to make things right. I am quite excited to see where this series will go. But it definitely feels good to be back in this world.

~Melpomene

Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/3q3xKwy

Review: Skyhunter by Marie Lu

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After reading the Warcross duology I hoped this would be similar in feelings and actions. It was. And I’m very happy.

I received this audible from Libro.fm and then the DTB from Bookish First so I went back and forth from reading to listening. I was fully caught up in the action. I hated to put it down to do life.

Talin is a striker and her only job is to protect her world from the Federation. She knows what horrific things they can do so she is willing to fight to the death to protect others from living what she barely lived through.

When a prisoner is brought in she discovers that he is way more than a simple Federation runaway. He just may well be the answer to how they can win this war.

I fell in love with all the characters. They each had a bond that was unbreakable. It was inspiring to see that. They would do anything and everything for each other.

Skyhunter is an action packed YA fantasy filled with emotions, family bonds and even a hint of love. I was on the edge of my seat as I neared the ending and frankly I’m a bit anxious to see what happens next.

~Melpomene

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Review: Fable by Adrienne Young

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If you’ve read Adrienne Young’s books then you’ll know what kind of worlds she creates. With her words she transforms you into the scenes and you feel like you’re experiencing everything right along with them. I fell in love with the cover and I knew I would love the story. Honestly, I didn’t read the blurb til I finished the book.

Fable was abandoned by her father four years ago. She makes it her goal to somehow escape the island he left her at and find him in order to get what she’s owed. What she didn’t plan on was falling into a crew of throwaways and eventually becoming one of them.

I adored this book and couldn’t put it down. It’s been a long time since I felt like this while reading. There’s a very slow burn romance, which was written perfectly, which I was hoping for. There’s a sense of family, which made this story magnificent. I pretty much fell in love with everyone. To see all these guys and gals working together and willing to risk their lives for each other, it’s a beautiful thing.

I can’t wait to read book two!!

This is definitely in my top 10 of 2020.

~Melpomene

Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/2Dvlfau

Review: The Faithless Hawk by Margaret Owen

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A thrilling and emotional conclusion to this duology!

From the very first line I was riveted. It brought all of the Merciful Crow feelings back. If you haven’t read it, I suggest you stop right now and go rectify that. The Faithless Hawk takes place pretty much right after Crow ends. If you don’t remember everything, I suggest you go back and reread a few chapters at least.

This was another buddy read with Sassy, since she enjoyed TMC so much. So I got her input for part of the review also.

I loved the fact, and I even said this in my last review, that this isn’t your typical “I am a strong and powerful girl and I can do no wrong and everyone must follow me,” YA book. She makes mistakes. HUGE ones. But she also works well with others and knows it’s not about her, it’s about everyone. I love how her crows help her even when she tries to take as much on her shoulders. She even has a few Hawks to help her along the way! She doesn’t give up, even when she can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.

We love Tavin. There were so many OMG parts with him, and not necessarily in a good way, but just hold on for a while. You can’t see the whole board when you’re a piece in the game. Just wait and step back and see the plays. I was going back and forth with him. But I am so happy I held on. I knew there was a reason for everything.

“I’ll never doubt that boy loves you. But loving someone doesn’t make us choose right, for us or for them.”

This book seemed more focused on the relationships surrounding Fie. The banter between the characters made us giggle and smile, a lot. Prince Jasimir was more open with his feelings and it was nice to see that. He was rather standoff-ish in the first book. It was good to see him loosen up a bit. There were a few scenes with him that made us teary. In fact, her and I just sat here for 10 minutes reminiscing about all the hilarious and emotional group scenes and it kinda makes me want to reread it.

This series will definitely be added to my YA rec list! I hope you guys love it as much as we did!

~Melpomene

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Quick review: Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

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A solid 4 star book that borders on the mature YA/NA line. A slow burn romance that made my heart all squishy.

I loved watching Lou and Reid together. She’s a witch that is hiding in plain sight and trying not to get caught. And Reid is a Chasseur, who’s soul job is to hunt down and kill witches. So when they’re caught in a compromising situation and forced to marry, that when things start to get crazy. She must keep her secret from Reid, but spending so much time with him definitely doesn’t make things easier.

I’ll admit for the first quarter I thought it was an okay book. I wasn’t sure about these characters. By the time I made it to the halfway mark I was sitting up and paying close attention. Some parts were kinda silly and a bit of the humor felt forced. But by the time I was done, I wish I waited til closer to the second book’s release cuz I need to know what’s gonna happen next! All in all it really was an enjoyable debut and I look forward to seeing these characters grow and how they handle the secrets that were revealed.

If you’re looking for a good mature YA/NA fantasy with witches and magic, then add this book to your TBR.

~Melpomene

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Quick Review: The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

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It’s been said that this book is a Slytherin romance. At first I didn’t understand that. I’m a Slytherin, you see, and I’m a nice girl. So I went in this with an open mind. It didn’t take me long realize why it was called such.

Alessandra isn’t your typical lady. She’s ready to get married and she has her sights set on the king. Too bad she plans on killing him once she has him.

Honestly, I spent most of book hating her on one hand and hoping she changes on the other. It was rather stressful. I loved the king. I wanted nothing more than to see him happy but at what cost?

This book wasn’t over the top fantastic but it was good. The women’s empowerment message was practically drilled into our heads, so that was a bit much and there were a few predictable moments, but all in all it was enjoyable. I would add it to my teen rec list.

~Melpomene

Release day Feb 25

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Quick review: Supernova by Marissa Meyer

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Supernova has been one of my most anticipated reads. After the way we were left in Archenemies I was dying to know what happens to Nova and Adrian. And after I finished, let’s just say I was surprised, and yet I wasn’t.

This was an exciting conclusion to the series and I’m happy I read it. Battle scene after battle scene had me flipping pages quickly. That being said, there were quite a few parts that seemed to drag a bit, and I found myself skimming. That’s never a good sign. I was hoping for one direction and this completely went in another. I’m still not sure how I feel about that. It almost feels like nothing was accomplished.

Nova’s big secret if finally revealed and she must pay for the lies and hurt that resulted. Again, I don’t wanna focus on the negative, but her and Adrian almost felt too perfect. Her lies were no small white ones. They were HUGE flaming red ones. And yet, when the truth came out it almost felt too easily forgiven. I wanted some groveling at least.

If you like heroes vs. villains then you will enjoy this series. It’s not over the top “Oh my gosh, fantastic,” but it’s still a fun series to read.

~Melpomene

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