The Forest of Whispers by Jennifer Murgia is told in two points of view-Rune’s and Laurentz’. Rune’s mother is a mystery to her. She lives with Matilde as the older woman’s apprentice. When Rune discovers her mother’s history, her life completely changes. The story has German origins and I enjoyed the German vocabulary lesson at the beginning of both books.
Castle of Sighs by Jennifer Murgia continues where Forest of Whispers left off. Rune now lives in Pyrmont. She finds traces of protection but she’s not sure what she’s being protected from. She has been left in charge of two orphans from the Bishop’s witch hunt. She worries for their safety and asks Laurentz to take them to his castle. Rune finds an ancient book that reveals the history of the Pyrmont Castle and her ancestors, including her mother. Everything changes drastically after finding the old, magical book.
I recommend this series for fantasy and supernatural readers. The Forest of Whispers Series contains wonderful and dynamic characters and interesting setting!
Thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the arc of Need by Joelle Charbonneau! Need has a weird and creepy concept that should make it a popular book. Creepiness multiplies as evidence shows that the Need website has members carrying out bad deeds so they get a reward or gift of their choosing. Members make their request first, then they are asked to carry out a deed. Action packed and full of surprises, Need is food for thought! Kaylee, the main character, has a past of crying wolf. As she is drawn into the questionable world of Need, people around her tend to believe she is just trying to get attention when she tries to make them see how awful Need is. As she struggles with her reputation, an ill brother, a closed off mother and the scary happenings around her, the mystery unravels!
The Thought Spot 