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This revised edition is proof that NetGalley works and helps authors, publishers and readers! I appreciate receiving both editions and seeing the change involved in improving this book.

My goodreads review: Thanks to NetGalley and Blue Moon for the arc of Nirvana by J.R. Stewart! I received a revised edition of this book and enjoyed it the more I read. Kenders is the main character looking for evidence that her boyfriend Andrew is really alive, even though he has been pronounced dead. The storyline is based on a conspiracy theory of technology involving virtual reality and the profit that can be made. Four stars because I would have liked more explanation on how the simulations are created and more world building. Great concept, just over too quickly. I am anticipating the sequel because of the cliff hanger ending!

Thanks to NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for the advanced reading copy of Passenger by Alexandra Bracken!  This time-travel fantasy is an interesting story about who owns the right to control the future, as well as the past.  I was confused at first because one bit of the story was told, then a bit of another.  These bits are blended seamlessly soon after and become one story full of several dynamic characters.  Some romance, action and a touch of history make this an enjoyable read for every fantasy reader.  The ending leaves the story on edge, so I am anticipating the sequel!

  

I have to say that the high school students, at the library I purchase books for, received the Fear Street Relaunch books with tremendous enthusiasm!  Suspenseful and creepy, just as horror books for young adults should be, these books still let me sleep at night:)  I hope the Fear Street Relaunch continues!

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas jumps right into the story with action and emotion.  Sarah J. Maas continues writing with her clever sense of humor!  Several characters and their stories keep building and growing throughout this book.  The comments about a peaceful day (page 290) and eating fish (page 291) made me laugh out loud.  On page 295, the magnificent writing brings Aelin’s piano playing to life!  Intrigue, suspense and complicated relationships kept me on the edge of my seat.  A wonderful ending to a new and promising, hopeful beginning!

   

Sweet Madness by Trisha Leaver is a historical fiction account of Lizzie Borden, her day to day life and the murders of her stepmother and father. Being told in Bridget Sullivan’s point of view helps the reader see a more complex Lizzie, instead of just a one-sided personality. Bridget Sullivan was the Borden’s housemaid during the time of the murders. I read this story after reading the non-fiction account by Sarah Miller, “The Borden Murders” and I feel that gave me more insight into the household and lifestyle of the Borden family then if I would have only read Sweet Madness by Trisha Leaver. A very interesting read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the advanced reading copy of The Borden Murders: Lizzie Borden and the Trial of the Century by Sarah Miller! This non-fiction account covers the evidence, witness statements and testimonies of the Borden murders. Lizzie Borden’s life is also detailed and Sarah Miller keeps an unbiased view throughout her investigative research. The author spent much time and effort in developing this account and I ended up wishing that DNA could be used to discover the true culprit, but in the 1890’s no such science existed.

Thanks to NetGalley and Clarion Books (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) for the advanced reading copy of The Rosemary Spell by Virginia Zimmerman!  This is a fun, intellectual and mysterious tale.  I enjoyed the literary references throughout the story.  Shakespeare’s works are referenced and even used in solving the mystery of Rosemary’s spell.  I like the list of Rosemary’s Bookshelf at the end of the book.  An enjoyable read for anyone who likes fantasy and suspense.  Rosemary’s Bookshelf contains the following titles:  Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Coraline, The Giver, The Golden Compass, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Seven-Day Magic by Edward Eager, The Story of the Amulet by E. Nesbit, When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead and a Wrinkle in Time.  Fun for the book lover!

Thanks to NetGalley and Philomel Books, (Penguin Group), for the advanced reading copy of Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys!  This historical fiction story contains many points of view.  Many aspects of World War II are told throughout the book as refugees make their way to the ships that will take them to a safer place.  Ruta Sepetys places factual information at the end of her historical fiction books and I enjoy knowing what truly took place, how she accomplished her research and the list of the resources she used!  A great quote from Salt to the Sea, “Survival had its price: guilt.”  Definitely food for thought and one more problem the survivors had to live with and overcome.  Highly recommended for historical fiction readers!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced reading copy of The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende!  This story is a magnificent historical fiction read.  This is an enjoyable and comfortable book and the characters grow to feel like old friends.  Little by little, Alma’s history is told and all of the mysteries are unraveled as she tells her life story to her grandson Seth and her assistant Irina.  Heartwarming,tragic and nostalgic all at the same time!

Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for Young Readers for the arc of Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin!  This alternate history of Hitler’s reign begins with Jewish families being stuffed into train cars.  Yael, a six-year-old girl, was chosen by a doctor at a concentration camp for experimentation with melanin.  As a result of the experiment, Yael can change her coloring to disguise herself.  She escapes by making herself look like a Nazi leader’s daughter.  She is found by the resistance. Once she is trained, Yael’s mission is to assassinate Hitler.  The life or death motorcycle race and the suspenseful espionage make this an interesting take on a WWII alternate historical outcome.