Review of Children of Blood & Bone-Tomi Adeyemi

This was a refreshing take on a fantasy world, influenced by Nigerian folktales and creation stories.  The main character, Zelie, is complex and compelling; her brother, Tzain, is conflicted but heroic.  The other two main characters are the brother and sister of an evil monarch who is determined to wipe out magic and people like Zelie who can use and control magic.  On the run with Zelie and Tzain, the sister, Amari, is already sympathetic to the maji and her brother Inan, against all his upbringing, is slowly coming around to saving magic in the realm.  But his father, the king, is in hot pursuit and nothing will stand in his way, including his children.  3 Elves - Recommended for teens and adults

Review of Girls Made of Snow & Glass-Melissa Bashardoust

This debut fantasy novel is a retelling of the fairy tale Snow White but with many twists and turns.  A young girl who becomes a queen has a heart made of glass so she is afraid she can never love or be loved.  She cares greatly for her stepdaughter, the princess, who was made of snow by the queen's magician father.  Both the queen and the princess must find out who they really are, hoping the truth will free them from their own fears and the opinion of others in the kingdom.  3 Elves - Recommended for teens and adults

Review of Frostblood-Elly Blake

This fantasy, the first in a series, reminds me of the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard.  They both have a ruling class that is trying to suppress citizens that have magical powers not as strong as the rulers.  Ruby is a Fireblood who has hidden her extraordinary powers from the Frostbloods but when she is discovered, she's thrown into prison.  Her journey to freedom and helping rebels try to  overcome the ruling class is thrilling.  3 Elves - Recommended for teens and adults