Coincidence or deception?
This is a mystery with many layers that continue to unravel as the story progresses. I couldn’t put the book down!
She’s Not Sorry by Mary Kubica
This Song is (Not) For You by Laura Nowlin
Updated cover!
Ramona and Sam created the band, April and Rain. Tom soon joins them. They each live their own unassuming lives and just want to enjoy their music. The three friends bond and learn from each other as they get through high school, meet their goals and make their future plans. Not everyone understands them but they understand each other and are true friends unconditionally.
Likes/dislikes: The author shows an authentic portrayal of dyslexia. The high school band and unconditional best friends are refreshing. The tidbits of wisdom from Ramona are helpful to her friends.
Mature Content: PG for kissing.
Language: R for 25 swears and 7 f-words.
Violence: Pg for bullying.
Ethnicity: falls to white.
Mystery Royale by Kaitlyn Cavalancia
Is anything real?
Mullory feels alone and helpless. Her mother left her to take care of her terminally ill grandmother, leaving her with this warning, “Run if the strange finds you”. She starts receiving letters and doesn’t want to open them but when Elliot, a family services worker, arrives and tells her he’s checking in on Mullory and her Gran and seeing how difficult their situation is, might have a solution to help them. Elliot tells Mullory to open the letters. Inside is an invitation to Stoutmire Estate to participate in a game of mystery to win an inheritance. When she arrives at the estate, Mullory discovers that Elliott is actually Edwin and serves the estate owner, Xavier Stoutmire. Then things become more strange because a murder has been committed and a game has been created by the deceased that’s outlined in the will. The players must unravel the mystery with magical clues, riddles and illusions full of danger.
Likes/dislikes: The book is definitely written for YA with the quips and easy crushes. I like how the author added literary quotes to broaden the impact. Flashbacks are sprinkled throughout the story as echoes that the characters can see. The author created an eclectic mix of characters.
Mature content: PG for kissing.
Language: R for 86 swears, no f-words.
Violence: PG-13 for bloody death.
Ethnicity: predominantly white.
All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall
A monster hurricane changes the world!
Nonie lives in the American Museum of Natural History in New York because of the immense hurricane and other intense storms that have swept over the world. When a huge flood hits the museum, Nonie leaves with her sister Bix, their father and their family friend Keller. They are heading to their Aunt Clare’s house. On the way, they fight nature as the storms increase in strength, the wild and unknown. They try to stop for rest from the river and shelter from the rain but meet Lost, two men that only seem to want to harm. Father gets shot, Bix also gets shot and Keller gets pneumonia from jumping into the dirty river to rescue their boat from the strong currents. Will any of them survive?
Likes/dislikes: The story has an interesting premise and dystopian plot. The author made the main characters flawed and relatable. I like that the story was carried on by hope, even when everything seemed lost.
Mature content: G for kissing.
Language: PG-13 for 13 swears, no f-words.
Violence: PG-13 for bloody death.
Ethnicity: mixed.
Skyshade by Alex Aster
More to come in this series!
Isla struggles with leaving Oro behind but knows it’s best for the sake of Lightlark. She’s still angry with Grim for erasing her memories but odd and destructive incidents help them work together to save the realms. Isla discovers a feather that writes on its own leading her to learn about skyres, items that hold soul pieces. Zealots are disguised and Isla begins trusting them. She also starts to think that she’s the person causing destruction. Is Isla the traitor?
Likes/dislikes: I like the mystery surrounding the unknown traitor who’s wreaking havoc. I don’t really feel that Isla loves Oro as she loves Grim, who seems to be her soulmate. I enjoyed the author’s world building.
Mature Content: R for on page sex.
Language: PG for 7 swears, no f-words.
Violence: PG-13 for bloody deaths.
Ethnicity: Isla has tanned skin, Oro is golden and Azul is dark brown. Others have light brown skin and white skin. Remlar is blue skinned.
Darkly by Marisha Pessl
Extremely interesting and unique story!
Dia Gannon is applying for an internship at Darkly, once a game making enterprise, now lies dormant after the owner died thirty-nine years ago. Dia is suspicious of the internship announcement because there’s no hidden clue, message or riddle, which is nothing like the owner Louisiana Veda who did everything mysteriously.
Dia receives a letter announcing that she is one of the seven internship winners that have been chosen from across the globe and will be flying to London for the summer to complete the internship with the others. Dia meets Poe, the 17yo French winner, on the flight to London; Poe has a Darkly game inside a briefcase cuffed to his wrist. They meet the five other interns when they arrive at the boat that will take them to the Louisiana Veda factory near Thornwood, England. Dia feels deceptive vibes and she’s worried about what she’s gotten herself into.
Likes/dislikes: I was immediately immersed in the story due to the voice of the main character, Dia. Dia is quirky, smart, and tough. The book was extremely interesting and unique and I couldn’t stop reading once I started.
Mature content: G for kissing.
Language: R for 16 swears and 2 f-words.
Violence: PG-13 for bloody death by shooting.
Ethnicity: The ethnicity is mixed with characters from around the world.
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
Ben is doing a podcast about Lucy who supposedly murdered her friend Savannah five years ago. Lucy was found bloody and beaten and can’t remember anything about what happened. Savannah was found dead, bloody and beaten. There wasn’t enough evidence to convict Lucy but most of her Texas hometown thinks she’s guilty.
Lucy heads home for her grandmother’s birthday and after her grandmother’s request, meets Ben. He wants to find out the truth about what happened to Savannah. Ben interviews many people and, little by little, Lucy regains some memories. Is Lucy a murderer or not?
Magnificently narrated audiobook and an interesting story!
Fledgling by S.K. Ali
Complex fantasy in a dystopian world!
Third person telling of five main characters in a world trying to survive; Upper Earth claims to want peace and unity and Lower Earth claims to want the same but with transparency, honesty and equality. The rebels believe Upper Earth wants to oppress Lower Earth even more than it has been for decades. Raisa is betrothed to Lein; Raisa has been raised in Lower Earth and Lein was raised in Upper Earth and they’ve been betrothed by their parents to bring the division together. Nada and Nayf are twins released from prison and they want to protect Raisa, even though Lein is their cousin. Musaid is Lein’s friend and he and Nada are in love. Their lives entwine and the danger builds while political intrigue and untrustworthy rulers cause havoc. Will the five survive?
Likes/dislikes: This story is a complex fantasy in a dystopian world. The author develops the characters well. There are many characters to keep track of but the author paces the introductions well to help with keeping track of each one.
Mature Content: PG-13 for off page sex.
Language: PG for 8 swears and no f-words.
Violence: PG-13 for torture, bloody injuries, and bloody death.
Ethnicity: brown skin, dark brown skin, and olive hued skin.
Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 by Lisa Unger
Social media stunt turns deadly!
I couldn’t put the book down!
Adele enters an online live adult hide and seek competition. The winner receives one million dollars and she can really use it for her family after her husband left them when he embezzled funds and ran away. Her son Blake and daughter Violet support Adele completely and want her to be safe and win too. The game site is a decrepit, condemned hotel on an island and all seems fine until the game begins and a storm heads their way!
We Did Nothing Wrong by Hannah Jayne
Slowly unraveling mystery!
Lia and Diana have been friends since the first day of kindergarten when Diana introduced herself to Lia. They have grown up together as best friends but things have been strained lately. Lia is tired of hearing all about Diana and the pageants she wins and constantly prepares for. When Diana goes missing, Lia thinks Diana is playing a joke on everyone and will show back up soon. As days go by, Lia becomes worried and desperate to find her friend.
Likes/dislikes: I liked how the author kept me guessing as I read the story. The conflict between Lia and Diana and within Lia herself, made the suspense grow and the story more interesting. Suspicion was everywhere!
Mature content: PG for kissing.
Language: R for 38 swears and 2 f-words.
Violence: PG-13 for bloody hitting, abduction and off page death.
Ethnicity: falls to white.
The Thought Spot 