Readers of YA paranormal romance and those who have interest in Egyptian mythology will find a lot to enjoy in Colleen Houck's new series. Please note that this review is based off the advanced reader's copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley. The book is published today and is available in libraries and/or bookstores near you.

Description: When Lilliana Young enters the Metropolitan Museum of Art one morning during spring break, the last thing she expects to find is a live Egyptian prince with godlike powers, who has been reawakened after a thousand years of mummification. And she really can't imagine being chosen to aid him in an epic quest that will lead them across the globe to find his brothers and complete a grand ceremony that will save mankind. But fate has taken hold of Lily, and she, along with her sun prince, Amon, must travel to the Valley of the Kings, raise his brothers, and stop an evil, shape-shifting god named Seth from taking over the world.

Review: Reawakened introduces a fantasy filled with romance and Egyptian mythology, but unfortunately it left me bored for most of the story. The story begins on a promising prologue where three Egyptian princes are offered to sacrifice themselves in order to protect their kingdoms and people from Seth, the god of chaos, from taking control. The princes are all gifted with different abilities and are preserved as mummies who are awakened every 1,000 years to complete a ritual that will prevent Seth from rising. 
  While the plot of the book has great potential, the major flaws of the book in my opinion are characters who are dull, cookie cutter templates of your typical paranormal romance novel. Lilliana Young is our mortal heroine who has had her whole life planned out for her by her affluent micromanaging New York City parents. Her life is turned upside down on what was suppose to be an ordinary day at the museum, but instead she becomes mystically tethered to Amon, the resurrected prince and carrier of the Eye of Horus. I found it hard to like Lilliana because her personality was so vanilla. We are told that she is pretty, has great self confidence, and is suppose to be the voice of reason and Amon's translator of the current century; however, her only main concern is trying to have a relationship with a 'really hot Egyptian prince' instead of the 'really hot Egyptian prince' who is sucking her life force out of her. Lilliana only agrees to travel to Egypt in search of Amon's brothers, who are needed to complete the necessary ritual is to have an adventure and to be reckless during her spring break of her senior year. 
  Like Lilliana, Amon is also quite tedious. His clueless nature of the advancements of our society is cute at first, but then it becomes repetitive and annoying. I couldn't help but hear a robot every time he talked. I did, however, like the stories of the Egyptian gods and goddess he tells Lilliana but that's about it. He is your average handsome and brooding paranormal romance hero. I felt zero chemistry between him and Lilliana. 
 Though there are plenty of action scenes and moments of doom where the characters lives are at stake, I couldn't help but skim a lot of the story. Even the villain was snooze worthy and very easy to identify. The ending does have a cliffhanger, but I can't muster up any interest in picking up this series. Overall Reawakened was a pretty "meh" read and would only recommend it to readers who exclusively like paranormal romances.

Rating: 3 stars

Words of Caution: There are some disturbing scenes and minor language. Recommended for Grades 7 and up.

If you like this book try: Tiger's Curse series by Colleen Houck, Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordian for those who like reading about Egyptian mythology more than romance

 
Description: Astrid has always done everything with her best friend Nicole. So when Astrid signs up for roller derby camp, she assumes Nicole will too. But Nicole signs up for dance camp with a new friends instead, and so begins the toughest summer of Astrid's life. There are bumps and bruises as Astrid learns who she is without Nicole and what it takes to be a strong, tough roller girl.


Review: Roller Girl is a delightful graphic novel that explores the mercurial nature of tween friendships and the rush of excitement of discovering a new sport. One summer tests the friendship between Astrid and Nicole who have been best friends since elementary school. As their interests diverge, they begin to explore their own individuality. 
  When the girls go to the roller derby one night, Astrid is immediately hooked and jumps at the chance to attend a roller-derby camp, skating alongside the tough, dyed girls. Nicole, however, is passionate about ballet, decides not to follow along with Astrid, creating the first real fight the girls have ever had. The rift is organic and we can identify with the emotions of both girls. As Astrid and Nicole spend time apart, they quickly broaden their horizons and make new friends in their new circles: Astrid with her roller-derby cohorts and Nicole with the popular ballet crowd. What really impressed me was Astrid's journey of becoming a roller girl from dealing with the bumps, bruises, and falls that come along with the sport as well as the emphasis on teamwork and the real meaning of friendship. 
 Jamieson captures the voice of Astrid beautifully with plenty of preteen angst, snark, and eye rolls. The juxtaposition of the winding ways of roller derby plays off of the twist and turns of Astrid and Nicole's friendship. The panels are easy to read with bright illustrations that evoke the familiar emotions from its reader and complement the text quite nicely. Definitely recommend this book to your readers who loved Raina Telegemeier's graphic novel.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 4 and up.

If you like this book try: Amelia Rules series by Jimmy Gownley, Smile by Raina Telegemeier, Page by Paige by Laura Lee Gulledge

  I have been wanting to pick up a book by Sarah J. Maas for quite some time. Though I have heard great things about Maas's Throne of Glass series which is still growing, I thought I would try her new series called A Court of Thorns and Roses which is a fantasy romance. Please note that this review is based on the advanced reader's copy of the book provided by the publisher via Netgalley.


Description: When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
  As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Review: Drawing inspiration from a variety of sources including the Beauty and the Beast as well as the Ballad of Tam Lin, Maas creates a new world where humans and the faeries who once enslaved them live separated by a wall erected under Treaty. Feyre, our heroine, is solely responsible in keeping her once-affluent, now-impoverished family fed by hunting. On a desperate trip, she unknowingly kills a large wolf that's actually a fae. For retribution, Tamlin a cursed fae lord brings her to the faerie lands she grew up hating and fearing.
 Feyre is a character that I had to warm up to at first, but I admired her tenacity and strength. It is definitely clear that she is taken advantage of by her family, being the sole provider while her sisters prim themselves. What Feyre lacks in literacy, she makes up in her survival and artistic skills. She persistently tries to find a way to escape from Tamlin's court in fear that she would be tormented by the dangerous faeries. Over time her prejudices against the fae change as she learns truths and lies about faeries, who have been afflicted by a mysterious, magical deformity in which a masque is glued to their face. 
  Tamlin is a fae shape-shifter and one of the seven High Lords of faerie. When not in beast form, Tamlin is beautiful, powerful, and one of the seven High Lords of faerie. I also thought he was quite attractive in beast form too actually. I thought he was nice to Feyre and was almost always on his best behavior (he is a beast afterall). While there is a romantic relationship between Tamlin and Feyre which takes time to develop, I didn't really feel any chemistry between these characters though they did have nice moments when they were alone. 
  The world building in its exploration of the faerie lands and court intrigue is given much attention to in the book, however, it does slow the book down quite considerably. Feyre knows the fae are keeping dangerous secrets from her, but by the time she finds out the truth it might be too late. My favorite part of the book are the trials and cruel court games that Feyre must win in order to save Tamlin and the other faeries; however I found the final riddle that Feyre must solve was too-easy. The appearance of the enigmatic Rhysand has me curious though I also think he is not a great romantic fit with Feyre either given their deal. Overall A Court of Thorns and Roses ends with a satisfying conclusion to the story line, but it leaves the door open for future books. I do plan on continuing this series to see where it goes. 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There are a few sex scenes are more titillating than graphic as well as allusions to sex. There is also crude language, and some strong violence. Recommended for Grades 10 and up.

If you like this book try: Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge, The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh, Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay

 Unlike many readers I did not fall in love with Water for Elephants, but I did like Sara Gruen's writing style and wanted to give her latest book, At the Water's Edge, a shot. Her latest book's premise sounds promising and it gave me a Downton Abbey vibe set in Scotland.


Description: After embarrassing themselves at the social event of the year in high society Philadelphia on New Year’s Eve of 1942, Maddie and Ellis Hyde are cut off financially by Ellis’s father, a former army Colonel who is already embarrassed by his son’s inability to serve in WWII due to his being colorblind. To Maddie’s horror, Ellis decides that the only way to regain his father’s favor is to succeed in a venture his father attempted and very publicly failed at: he will hunt the famous Loch Ness monster and when he finds it he will restore his father’s name and return to his father’s good graces (and pocketbook). Joined by their friend Hank, a wealthy socialite, the three make their way to Scotland in the midst of war. Each day the two men go off to hunt the monster, while another monster, Hitler, is devastating Europe. And Maddie, now alone in a foreign country, must begin to figure out who she is and what she wants.

Review: Maddie, her husband Ellis, and their very close friend Hank live a luxurious life filled with parties and leisure, safe in their own bumble while World War II is raging on. Hank and Ellis are  exempt from the battle due to one of the men being colorblind and other being "flat-footed," which I never heard of before I read this book. After disgracing their aristocratic family by being overly drunk at a social event, all three characters are exiled to Scotland to find the Loch Ness Monster to restore their honor.
  Readers interested in the actual search for Loch Ness Monster will be disappointed as this aspect of the story becomes more of a plot device that boils up when it is convenient for the plot, but otherwise simmers noiselessly in the background. Much more of the story is dedicated to Maddie's self awakening and the relationships between her and Ellis, Hank, and the people they meet at the inn they stay at in Scotland who are, in my opinion, the stars of the book. Personally, I preferred watching Maddie grow from a spoiled, self centered, one dimensional woman to a three dimensional person who found her voice and grew a backbone much more than the search for the Loch Ness Monster. Her journey is well done and believable for the most part, but it is uneven when it comes to the other subplot of the story. 
  In addition to Maddie bursting out of her own bubble, we are also introduced to the lives of the Scottish residents who also face a variety of domestic tragedy such as  death and divorce. The women of the story come alive and have a strong presence, but I wished the male characters were just as nuanced. For example, Maddie's husband, Ellis, is a cad and doesn't have any additional layers to his characters while their friend Hank is an overt philander. Some of Scottish men we meet aren't any better. 
  The story veers off a few times on the melodramatic with Maddie fainting a few times and the ending that is solved too conveniently and in part takes away the strength of Maddie's journey. There are a few times where Gruen info dumps wartime statistics for paragraphs at a time that aren't particularly relevant to the specific story she's telling. Overall I would recommend At Water's Edge if you are looking for a historical beach read or a lazy Sunday read.

Rating: 3 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language, domestic violence, and small sexual situations. Recommended for mature teens and adults.

If you like this book try: Headmaster's Wager by Vincent Lam, The Last Time I Saw Paris by Lynn Sheene

Description: Scarlet’s true identity has been revealed, but her future is uncertain. Her forced marriage to Lord Gisbourne threatens Robin and Scarlet’s love, and as the royal court descends upon Nottingham for the appointment of a new Sheriff, the people of Nottingham hope that Prince John will appoint their beloved Robin Hood. But Prince John has different plans for Nottingham that revolve around a fateful secret from Scarlet’s past even she isn’t yet aware of. Forced to participate at court alongside her ruthless husband, Scarlet must bide her time and act the part of a noblewoman—a worthy sacrifice if it means helping Robin’s cause and a chance at a future with the man she loves.

Review: Lady Thief rises above the dreaded middle book syndrome providing plenty of action, surprises, and more swoon inducing romance for its readers. Scarlet faces a new challenge in returning to her aristocratic title of a lady and as Gisbourne's wife, in order to obtain an annulment and marry Robin Hood, her true love. Rob rightly fears for her life, but Scar is adamant that the end will justify the means though she knows it will not be easy. Much to our liking, Scarlet does not abandon her own ways of being independent and strong when she becomes a lady. She defies Gisbourne's every request to be a demur wife while continuing to aid the commoners and still keeps her slang and improper grammar when she speaks. Her adventures as a "lady thief" are brought to a halt, however, when she learns the shocking truth of her birth and as a result becomes the victim of Prince John's brutality. There were a lot of moments where I did not see the plot twists coming. I shouted in horror at the injustices that Scarlet and the towns people faced. I was not expecting this sequel to be dark and gritty, but it made the story more realistic for its time period. I also really enjoyed the seamless blending of both a feminist retelling of Robin Hood along with the historical context of the Crusades.The book does end in a cliffhanger and I'm glad that I waited to read it close to the release of Lion Heart, the final book in the Scarlet series.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong violence, crude humor, minor language, and attempted rape. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Lion Heart by A.G. Gaughen, His Fair Assassin series by Robin LaFevers, Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay, Across a Star-Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund


Description: Imprisoned by Prince John for months, Scarlet finds herself a long way from Nottinghamshire. After a daring escape from the Prince's clutches, she learns that King Richard’s life is in jeopardy, and Eleanor of Aquitaine demands a service Scarlet can’t refuse: spy for her and help bring Richard home safe. But fate—and her heart—won’t allow her to stay away from Nottinghamshire for long, and together, Scarlet and Rob must stop Prince John from going through with his dark plans for England. They can not rest until he’s stopped, but will their love be enough to save them once and for all?

Review: In this finale to the Scarlet trilogy, Scarlet is imprisoned for months by the ruthless Prince John. She dares to escape, only to learn that King Richard's life is in jeopardy. Eleanor of Aquitaine asks her to serve as her knife-wielding spy in order to bring King Richard home safely, but Scarlet is given a new title and responsibility as the Lady Huntingdon. Scarlet must now face her fate and decide how she wants to live regardless of the expectations placed up on her shoulders by her society. She must also reunite with her true love, Robin Hood. As with the previous books in this series, the finale is replete with action, suspense, court intriguing, and romance to continually engage its readers. There were a few slow moments that dragged the plot just a bit. Scarlet once again emerges as a complex, well-developed protagonist who can carry the entire series on her shoulders, while supporting characters such as Rob, Eleanor, and Prince John are quite well-rounded secondary characters. While I would have liked to see a harsher sentence for Prince John, I can understand how the author wanted to keep her story as close to the historical facts. I was also happy to see a happy ending for Scarlet and Rob. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with these characters and I am sad to see them go.


Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong violence, crude humor, minor language, and attempted rape. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Maids of Honor series by Jennifer McGowan, Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson