Review of Orphan Queen-Jodi Meadows

This book had some great ideas: a queen in hiding after seeing her parents murdered, a secretive best friend and a mysterious vigilante roaming the streets.  But some of these ideas worked well and others didn't; some characters needed more depth and the threatening evil, the Wraiths, were also ill-defined. The queen is feisty and not afraid to get her hands dirty fighting for the poor; the vigilante is a good match for her with the same ambitions. The ending was abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving it open for a sequel.  Was there enough in this book to make me want to read the sequel when it comes out?  Maybe...  3 Elves - Recommended for teens and adults who don't mind unsatisfying endings

Review of The Witch Hunter-Virginia Boecker

I loved this debut novel about witches and a witch hunter.  Elizabeth is a witch hunter, but not by choice.  Orphaned when young, she is taken under the wing of Caleb, a witch hunter in training.  Soon she is also in training, believing that witches caused the plague that killed her parents so their capture is justified. But when she is thrown into prison for being accused of witchcraft & scheduled to be burned at the stake, she is rescued by a wizard who introduces her to many who use their magic for good, not evil.  She is attracted to John, a healer who saves her life from a fever she contracted in jail.  As she tries to break a curse that is threatening the life of the wizard, she begins to doubt the role of witch hunters and the Inquisitor, Lord Blackwell.  Although this novel is set up for a sequel, the ending is satisfying and thrilling.  4 Elves-Highly recommended for teens & adults

Review of The Heir-Kiera Cass

I read all of the books in the Selection series; this new novel is set 20 years later.  But, what annoyed me about the previous books  (the excessive romantic antics and fashion focus) was tempered by the political tension and attacks by rebels.  This book has the same issues without much tension until the very end, so the whole focus is on what the heroine is wearing and what boy she currently likes or doesn't like.  I'll try the sequel but don't hold out much hope.  2 Elves - recommended for romantics who love fashion only

Review of Say What You Will-Cammie McGovern

Amy is a senior in high school,  has cerebral palsy, can't walk well and speaks through a voice-activated computer.  When her mother hires some peers at school to assist her, hoping she'll finally make some friends, one of her helpers is a boy with OCD and problems of his own.  Amy & Matthew become friends, each hoping for more in this unlikely love story.  3 Elves - recommended for teens

Review of Extraordinary Means-Robyn Schneider

Like the last book reviewed, this novel is also about a driven teen who feels he has to excel at school, his social life, etc...  But, Lane becomes sick with a type of TB with no cure and is sent to a sanatorium/school; what happens at this facility changes his whole view of what is really important.  3 Elves - recommended for teens and adults