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

Review of Rook-Sharon Cameron

With much of the story and action derived from The Scarlet Pimpernel, this novel takes the plot in an interesting direction.  In this Paris of the future, technology has led to a terrible plague that has killed off many citizens .  As a result, all technology has been banned and the continent has gone back to the dark ages.  But some citizens feel that not all technology is evil and could be used for much good, like healing the sick and injured.  A revolution is in progress and citizens are rising up against a corrupt and superstitious government.  Can The Rook free all of the prisoners from the Bastille-like jail?  The action and suspense keep us guessing about the allies and foes of the revolution; the ongoing romance between Sophia and Rene make us care about the characters.  3 Elves - recommended for young readers, teens & adults who care about history.

Review of Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy & Goth Girl-Barry Lyga

Fifteen is a tough year for a teen and if you're a geek with only one friend, it's pretty terrible.  When Fanboy is noticed by a goth girl, Kyra, his self-esteem starts to rise.  Once Kyra finds out about the graphic novel he's working on (a work he hasn't even told his best friend about) and praises it, he starts to realize that he isn't destined to be the isolated geek at school forever. 3 Elves - Recommended for teens & adults who like to see kids rise above bullying

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