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