Review of Rogue-Julie Kagawa

In this sequel to Talon, the author keeps us interested in the two dragons, Ember & Riley, and also the former dragon-killer human, Garret.  When we left off in the previous book, Garret has been captured by the St. George order for not only letting the two dragons escape but also keeping a fellow soldier from shooting them.  In a dangerous rescue, Etta & Riley save Garret from execution but breaking into St. George headquarters starts a hunt for the fugitives at the same time the organization, Talon, begins a deadly hunt for the rogue dragons.  A thrilling sequel that has us anticipating a third book.  4 Elves - Highly recommended for teens and adults

Review of Passenger-Alexandra Bracken

A violin prodigy begins her debut performance  in present-day New York when her whole world turns upside down.  She finds herself a passenger on a sailing ship in the Atlantic in the year 1776 and discovers that she is a time traveler.  I liked the characters Etta and Nicholas and the book is thrilling as they search for a hidden item that could change the future forever, but I found the rules of their time travels to be a bit too complicated.  Still, I would recommend it for teens and adults.  3 Elves - Recommended

Review of Truthwitch-Susan Dennard

In the first novel in the Witchland series, the world created by the author is full of various types of witches.There are Threadwitches, who can see the invisible ties and emotions of others, Bloodwitches, almost invincible for their tracking powers, Windwitches, Tidewitches, Firewitches and many more in this strange land.  But, the most powerful and desirable are the rare Truthwitches, who can tell if someone tells the truth.  Our heroine, Safi, is such a witch and that makes her hunted by the warring powers so they can control her unique gift.  With the help of a nomad Threadwitch and a prince, who is a Windwitch, she tries to escape her fate but also control her future.  Can't wait for the sequel to this thrilling ride!  4 Elves - Highly recommended for teens and adults

Review of The Girl at Midnight-Melissa Grey

Echo, a human, lives below the NY subway system with a bird-like race of people called the Avicen.  A dragon-like race called the Drakharin have been threatening war for years and now the conflict has escalated. To save her world, Echo must go on a search for the firebird, a mythical entity who holds the promise of lasting peace between the two groups.  As Echo begins her quest, she is joined by some unlikely allies... allies who could change everything she believes in.  Echo is a strong, likable character along with many others in this debut novel.  I'm looking forward to the sequel which will come out this July.  4 Elves - Highly recommended for teens and adults

Review of Winter-Marissa Meyer

This is the final book in the Lunar Chronicles series, and it's a wonderful conclusion to a unique series.  Merging fairy tales with science fiction, it began with Cinder (a cyborg Cinderella), Scarlet (Little Red Riding Hood), Cress (Rapunzel), Fairest (a novella about the evil queen) and ends with Winter (Snow White).  To avoid spoilers, I will simply give it 4 Elves - Highly Recommended for Teens & Adults

Review of Carry On - Rainbow Rowell

The author's characters first appeared in her book, Fangirl and as she states in her author's note, she had to finish their story.  Simon Snow, her main character, began life as a fan fiction version of Harry Potter but then took on a life of his own. Being The Chosen One was always a burden (as Harry knew well) but for Simon, he didn't think he'd live through it. This novel is a fresh look at the burden of having too much magic and the power of friendships. It's a wonderful book and a fast read.  4 Elves - Highly Recommended for mature teens and adults

Review of Six of Crows-Leigh Bardugo

I loved the Grisha Chronicles by this author, and her new book doesn't disappoint.  She goes back to the world of the Grisha and centers the story around a small gang.  This gang, led by the mysterious Kaz, needs to break out a scientist imprisoned in a very secure jail.  The story revolves around the plan and this gang of six, but it's the character development that keeps the reader engrossed.  Eventually, you hear each character's story and the more you learn, the more you care.  Spoiler alert: the ending drove me crazy because I have to wait until the next book to find out what happened.  4 Elves - Highly recommended for teens and adults