Review of Harry Potter & the Cursed Child-Rowling/Tiffany/Thorne

Based on a new story by J.K. Rowling, this is a script from the new play rather than a novel.  Because it's a script, the reader must use their imagination to fill in the scenes but because of past visuals of the Potter world, I found it easy to supply scenery and details.  The story is a bit convoluted but always keeps your interest.  Harry's youngest son, Albus, tries to fix a problem caused by Potter's famous legacy and soon realizes that he's changed everything... and not for the better.  3 Elves - Recommended for readers young and old

Review of The Wrath & The Dawn-Renee Ahdieh

This reworking of the fable Shaherazhad, the debut novel introduces a terrorist king who is only a teen yet takes a bride each night & then murders them.  After the murder of a close friend, a young girl volunteers as a "bride" to the king & keeps him entranced with epic stories so she isn't murdered with the dawn.  She soon find more to this king than she expected and finds herself falling in love despite vowing revenge for her friend.  The sequel is out now and I look forward to reading it.  3 Elves - recommended for teens and adults

Review of Flamecaster-Cinda Williams Chima

I loved this author's Seven Realms series and in this novel, she brings back some characters from that series but also introduces many from the new generation.  And the new characters, especially Ash and Jenna, are wonderful!  You instantly care about them and root for them to overcome the ruthless king and his cronies.  This book is full of thrills, magic dark & light, complicated politics between the kingdoms and an ending that will have you crying for more.  I can't wait for the sequel to this epic fantasy, and I'm sure you'll feel the same.  4 Elves - Highly recommended for teens and adults

Review of Me Before You-Jojo Moyes

Louisa has an ordinary life; she lives with her parents, works in a small restaurant and dates a man she's not too excited about.  When she loses her job, she is desperate to find work right away to help out her parents and is hired as a caregiver for a man who is a quadriplegic after an accident.  This man, Will, was extremely successful, traveled the world and participated in extreme sports before the accident and doesn't want to live now that he is confined to a wheelchair.  Louisa's job is to convince Will to live.  4 Elves - Highly recommended for adults and teens

Review of Mirrored by Alex Flinn

I loved this creative retelling of Snow White; I think I need to read some of this author's other adaptations of fairy tales.  The author takes all of elements of the classic fairy tale and turns them around in a delightful way.  4 Elves - Highly recommended for teens and adults

Review of the Dark Days Club-Alison Goodman

Sorry it's been awhile between reviews but I'm on deadline for my third book, HEMLOCK.  I did have time to read a fun Regency romance/darke fantasy novel that is worth reading.  Lady Helen is preparing for her debut  at the royal court of George III in 1812 London.  The household is all atwitter preparing for the grand ball, but there are creatures in human form preying on citizens all over London.  Scandalous and mysterious Lord Carlston informs Lady Helen that she is one of eight souls who can fight this evil due to some inherited powers; Lord Carlston has this power and so did her dearly departed mother.  If she denies her true self, she will marry a duke and take her place in society but is that what she really wants?  The thrilling conclusion will leave you anticipating the sequel.  3 Elves - Recommended for teens and adults

Review of Salt to the Sea-Ruta Sepetys

A very disturbing book about a historical incident during World War II.  This novel follows four characters as they make their way onto the German ship, Wilhelm Gustloff, which is moored off the coast of Germany as Russian soldiers close in.  Only one character is German and the rest are Prussian, Polish and Lithuanian (nationalities not Aryan enough for the Germans). This novel was written for YA readers, but the scenes of death and rape are probably too graphic for all but the most mature teens; many of the scenes are still haunting me.  3 Elves - Recommended for mature readers only