Review of The Accident Season-Moira Fowley-Doyle

A perfect book for October and Hallowe'en, this book is full of ghosts, magic and teen angst.  Cara & her family experience many accidents during the month of October and have for a long time.  Some of these accidents are minor and some have resulted in death so during October, the family is tense and wary.  But this year feels different and as Cara & Sam search for a young teen whose picture keeps showing up in Cara's cell phone snaps, they begin to realize that the missing girl could hold the key to the accident season.  I loved the characters and the mood the author has created; I'll be looking for more books by this Irish writer.  4 Elves - Highly recommended for adults and mature teens

Review of A Court of Thorns & Roses-Sarah J. Maas

I really loved this book but because of some graphic violence, it is not appropriate for younger teens.  An interesting remix of Beauty & the Beast and the ancient tale of Tamlin, Feyre, a mortal, is taken to the world of the faeries in retribution for killing a faerie disguised as an enormous wolf.  After hearing terrible stories of faeries tormenting humans, she expected the worst in the faerie realms but was treated with respect by Tamlin, a mysterious High Lord of the faeries. As she gets to know Tamlin, she finds she is attracted to him and his court of spring.  But evil threatens and unless she can save Tamlin and his world, all will be lost - including the mortal lands.  4 Elves - Highly recommended for adults and mature teens  

Review of Heart of Betrayal-Mary E. Pearson

This second book in her series is just as good as the first.  The title is deceiving and makes it seem like a romance, but it's a fascinating fantasy world with lots of action, adventure, a kick-ass heroine, magic and just a bit of romance.  The ending left me wanting more... now!  3 Elves - Recommended for adults and teens.

Review of Invasion of the Tearling-Erika Johnson

I loved the first book in this series, Queen of the Tearling, but was disappointed in the sequel.  Many of the elements that made the first book great were still there, but the author upped the violence (including rape) for this second book.  She also has the heroine, Kelsea, go back in time to visit the world before the Crossing and inhabit the mind and body of a young woman; we later discover that the woman plays an important role in the creation of the new world.  While I was interested in glimpses of the old world, the brutal rape & beatings were intense and definitely not appropriate for the author's YA audience.  The ending leaves no doubt that one or more books are coming.  3 Elves- Recommended for adults and very mature, older teens.

New review of Magonia-Maria Dahvana Headley

What a strange, strange book!  I was initially drawn into the story by the two wonderful characters, Aza & Jason.  Aza is slowly dying because her lungs don't work the way they should, while Jason researches a cure for her ailment and supports her by being her friend.  Then, the story takes a weird shift and ventures into sci fi territory.  Aza leaves earth for a ship that floats in the sky into a realm known as Magonia.  In Magonia, she can breathe and has strong powers.  But some in Magonia want to use her powers to destroy the earth so they can save the resources before they are destroyed by pollution.  The ending is not terribly satisfying but leaves the story open for a sequel.  3 Elves - Recommended for teens and adults who love science fiction

Review of Rook-Sharon Cameron

With much of the story and action derived from The Scarlet Pimpernel, this novel takes the plot in an interesting direction.  In this Paris of the future, technology has led to a terrible plague that has killed off many citizens .  As a result, all technology has been banned and the continent has gone back to the dark ages.  But some citizens feel that not all technology is evil and could be used for much good, like healing the sick and injured.  A revolution is in progress and citizens are rising up against a corrupt and superstitious government.  Can The Rook free all of the prisoners from the Bastille-like jail?  The action and suspense keep us guessing about the allies and foes of the revolution; the ongoing romance between Sophia and Rene make us care about the characters.  3 Elves - recommended for young readers, teens & adults who care about history.

Review of Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy & Goth Girl-Barry Lyga

Fifteen is a tough year for a teen and if you're a geek with only one friend, it's pretty terrible.  When Fanboy is noticed by a goth girl, Kyra, his self-esteem starts to rise.  Once Kyra finds out about the graphic novel he's working on (a work he hasn't even told his best friend about) and praises it, he starts to realize that he isn't destined to be the isolated geek at school forever. 3 Elves - Recommended for teens & adults who like to see kids rise above bullying