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

Review of The Accident Season-Moira Fowley-Doyle

A perfect book for October and Hallowe'en, this book is full of ghosts, magic and teen angst.  Cara & her family experience many accidents during the month of October and have for a long time.  Some of these accidents are minor and some have resulted in death so during October, the family is tense and wary.  But this year feels different and as Cara & Sam search for a young teen whose picture keeps showing up in Cara's cell phone snaps, they begin to realize that the missing girl could hold the key to the accident season.  I loved the characters and the mood the author has created; I'll be looking for more books by this Irish writer.  4 Elves - Highly recommended for adults and mature teens

Review of A Court of Thorns & Roses-Sarah J. Maas

I really loved this book but because of some graphic violence, it is not appropriate for younger teens.  An interesting remix of Beauty & the Beast and the ancient tale of Tamlin, Feyre, a mortal, is taken to the world of the faeries in retribution for killing a faerie disguised as an enormous wolf.  After hearing terrible stories of faeries tormenting humans, she expected the worst in the faerie realms but was treated with respect by Tamlin, a mysterious High Lord of the faeries. As she gets to know Tamlin, she finds she is attracted to him and his court of spring.  But evil threatens and unless she can save Tamlin and his world, all will be lost - including the mortal lands.  4 Elves - Highly recommended for adults and mature teens  

Review of Heart of Betrayal-Mary E. Pearson

This second book in her series is just as good as the first.  The title is deceiving and makes it seem like a romance, but it's a fascinating fantasy world with lots of action, adventure, a kick-ass heroine, magic and just a bit of romance.  The ending left me wanting more... now!  3 Elves - Recommended for adults and teens.