Lightlark by Alex Aster

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Who can be trusted?

Isla leads the Wildlings and she meets all leaders of the other realms for a competition at Lightlark. Celeste is the Starling leader and Isla’s good friend and together they want to break the curse that settles on every realm. When Isla slips and falls into the sea, King Oro saves her from drowning even though her death would be taken as a sacrifice for the realm to lift the curse; one of the realm leaders must die at the Centennial celebration to satisfy the curse. Grim, the Nightshade leader, seems taken with Isla but she’s not sure if he’s sincere or conning her. Isla has stolen clothes to be able disguise herself as a woman from the other realms so she can enter their libraries and search for the bond breaker that can break the curse for everyone. Her life is endangered at every turn as she tries to hide that she’s completely powerless. She has no idea who she can trust.

Likes/dislikes: I love the beautiful descriptions and the variety of interesting characters. The author creates an amazing world and I didn’t want to stop reading. New and refreshing fantasy.
Mature content: PG-13 for touching and kissing.
Language: PG for 1 swear and 0 f-words.
Violence: PG-13 for bloody deaths.
Ethnicity: a mix of fantasy people and different colors of natural skintones.

Chasing Eternity by Alyson Noel

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Follow your destiny!

Natasha and Elodie travel back to 1998 to meet Natasha’s dad before she was born. Natasha is able to convince her father that she’s really his daughter from the future. He shows her the generations’ old Timekeeper rooms that take up a floor in the building where he resides as a struggling college student to hide who he truly is. He also trains her as much as he can in the short time they’re together so she can handle her Timekeeper abilities and use them to stay safe and continue the mission of her ancestors. Natasha realizes why Arthur is determined to remake the world- he lost the love of his life. Arthur will do everything it takes, including murder, to get what he wants and Natasha will do whatever it takes to stop him.

Likes/dislikes: I enjoyed the quotes from historical intellectuals. The character development is well done. I enjoyed learning about real artists and their work throughout history. The story kept my attention and it is action packed.
Mature content: R for on page sex.
Language: R for 56 swears and 18 f-words.
Violence: PG-13 for bloody hitting and bloody death.
Ethnicity: Mason, Natasha’s best friend, is Black. Natasha is white.

League of Liars by Astrid Scholte

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Cayder is interning at the law offices. He’s been interested in becoming a lawyer since he used edem magic when he was a child and the Regency officials came to his home to investigate. The Regency was formed by scientists researching edem. Since using edem causes unpredictable and sometimes fatal effects, it’s illegal to use its magic. Cayder’s sister Leta is arrested for using edem that started a fire causing three hundred fatalities. The lawyer he interns for takes Leta’s case but then he’s assigned to the princess’s case. She’s accused of killing her brother, the king. Cayder manages to get the lawyer they want and need, as well as doing his best to help the Princess. The trial is a roller coaster swaying from side to side. The Regency seems to always fix things to work in their best interests, no matter what the situation is. After the trial mishaps, Cayder and the Princess need each other’s help more than ever. Things grow chaotic and secrets are exposed and are shocking to Cayder’s group of rebels which includes the Princess, Leta, Kema the guard and Jey, another Vardean inmate. Conspiracy theories, political intrigue and teamwork make up this fantasy story, 4 stars!

Ruling Destiny by Alyson Noel

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Time travel to Italy’s Bonfire of the Vanities, 1497!

Natasha has been planning on visiting Renaissance Italy with Braxton but when she gets to the portal, Arthur shows her she’ll be tripping with Killian; Natasha is angry but Killian is thrilled. Braxton seems to be keeping something from Natasha and Killian keeps making remarks alluding that Braxton is hiding a terrible secret from her. She has strong feelings for Braxton but she doesn’t know if she can trust anyone. When Mason is recruited to Gray Wolf, she’s happy to see him, her trusted best friend, but worried that he’s blaming her for taking him away from his life. She’s struggling to understand her new life but now she’s even more worried on Mason’s behalf.

Likes/dislikes: I enjoyed learning about the true history mixed in with the time traveling events, like the Italian Bonfire of the Vanities in 1497. The quotes from Shakespeare and other intellectuals and historical figures are awesome. The author notes at the beginning of the book that all artwork and ancient artifacts mentioned in the novel are real piqued my interest.
Mature content: PG-13 for implied sex, off page, and underage drinking.
Language: R for 83 swears, 25 f-words.
Violence: PG-13 for bloody fight.
Ethnicity: mostly white. Mason, Natasha’s best friend, is Black.

Stealing Infinity by Alyson Noel

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Mystery-filled fantasy!

Natasha is slowly giving up on herself, her life and her future. Mason, her best friend, tries to keep her afloat by always being there for her. Mason tells Natasha to steer clear of Elodie because she’s shallow and doesn’t care about anyone but herself. Elodie talks Natasha into skipping school to go to a club. This choice is going to change Natasha’s life forever.

Likes/dislikes: I enjoyed Stealing Infinity because it’s a fantasy that has several mysteries hidden within. I also liked the book because it encompasses many genres including fantasy, mystery, science fiction and historical fiction. Natasha is a dynamic character as are Braxton and Elodie.
Mature content: PG-13 kiss.
Language: R for 87 swears and 2 f-words.
Violence: PG-13 for bloody death and attempted rape.
Ethnicity: Mason is Black, Natasha and Elodie are white, Keane has dark skin, Javon has golden brown skin, Hawke has bronze skin , Oliver has white skin, Song is oriental, Braxton has a European accent and is white.

The Shadows Rule All by Abigail Owen

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Great ending to this fantasy trilogy!

Meren has been overcome by shadows that left Reven, her bondmate, and now they’re torturing her. The shadows take over her mind and appearance if she gets too stressed or they get upset. Reven has completely forgotten Meren and he has no memory of them being in love. Meren has collected most of the amulets needed to stop the king. She needs one more plus the help of her dedicated companions to save their kingdom. She’s determined to help save the kingdom and Reven’s memory, even if she has to sacrifice herself to do it.

Likes/dislikes: I like that the characters are complex and diverse. The characters are each flawed in their own way, which makes them interesting. The mythology created by the author is imaginative. This book is the third in the trilogy and it’s much better than the second book.
Mature content: PG-13 for implied sex, on page.
Language: R for 93 swears and 10 f-words.
Violence: PG-13 for bloody fighting, deaths, and a bloody death.
Ethnicity: mixed.

Heir by Sabaa Tahir

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Return to the Empire!

Aiz has burn scars from an orphanage fire ten years prior and wants vengeance for the victims of the fire. Prince Quil is heir after the Empress, his Aunt Helene, and he loves to be under the radar and roams the streets with anonymity. Bani al-Mauth, the holy figure Chosen of Death, meets with Quil after a homeless boy is killed by having his heart burned out of his chest. She wants Quil’s help in stopping the murders that have taken place. Sirsha is a poor jewel thief trying to survive the slums and earn enough to move away someday. She’s running from a violent gang and barely escapes when she’s found by a man who wants her help. Their paths will cross and danger follows.

Likes/dislikes: It was nice to be in the world of An Ember in the Ashes again, over a decade into the future. Instead of learning about a new world and trying to navigate it, I was revisiting a world I was very familiar with. The new main characters are complex and each has a story to tell.
Mature content: PG-13 for implied sex on page.
Language: R for 37 swears, no f-words.
Violence: PG-13 for bloody deaths.
Ethnicity: mentions brown and white skin.

Soul of the Stone by Sharina Harris

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Egyptian mythology and vampires!

Raven, now known as Texas, is dealing with a powerful stone full of one hundred souls. These souls talk to Texas and drive her slightly crazy. Her mission is to get the tablet which will help end the evil Alexander once and for all. The souls want to help her with her mission but she gets pulled into the Underworld and has to face Egyptian Gods who will weigh her heart. If she’s found worthy she may just survive.

Likes/dislikes: I like the fact that there’s much less swearing in this sequel so there’s more room for character development and world building. I enjoyed the main conflict with Egyptian mythology. I found the Underworld very interesting.
Mature Content: PG-13 for sex.
Violence: PG-13 for bloody stabbing.
Language: R for 122 swears and 4 f-words.
Ethnicity: Khamari is Jamaican. Predominantly Black.

Masquerade of the Heart by Katy Rose Pool

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Will love prevail?

Marlow watches as Adrius announces his engagement and her heart breaks. She knows that Adrius has to marry someone from a rich and powerful family to appease his own family but it hurts all the same. Marlow wants to stop the person who cursed Adrius because that person is wanting to control everyone and everything in Caraza, just as Adrius was controlled by the curse. Marlow gets help from Adrius and a few of their most trusted and clever acquaintances. Together they work together to hopefully put a stop to the tyrant before he takes over.

Likes/dislikes: I enjoyed the intensity of the conflict between good and evil. The curse and the story behind it are so interesting. I love the ending!
Mature content: PG-13 for kissing.
Language: R for 39 swears and 8 f-words.
Violence: PG-13 for bloody death.
Ethnicity: falls to white. Adrius has warm brown skin. Corrine has dark skin.

Garden of the Cursed by Katy Rose Pool

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Intrigue and magic!

Marlow is a curse breaker who is helping her past crush, Adrius. Adrius has been given a curse that forces him to obey any orders given to him. He only trusts Marlow when he doesn’t even trust his own family. Adrius comes from a rich, powerful family who values money and power above all. When Marlow discovers who placed the curse on Adrius, she also reveals a secret that will change her life forever.

Likes/dislikes: The mystery behind the curse is fun to watch unravel. Marlow’s perseverance is admirable. The secrets revealed are intriguing and make me excited for the sequel, Masquerade of the Heart.
Language: R for 54 swears and 5 f-words.
Mature content: PG for kiss.
Violence: PG-13 for bloody death.
Ethnicity: predominantly white. Adrius has warm brown skin. Corrine has dark skin.