The Rose Society by Marie Lu

the-rose-societyTitle: The Rose Society
Author: Marie Lu
Series: The Young Elites
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Published: October 13th, 2015
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5)

Quick Look: Lu is one author who doesn’t disappoint. The Rose Society was amazing. I absolutely love Adelina’s character development, even though loving it hurts. Really, everything hurts after this book, but it’s wonderful. Continue reading

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

the-young-elitesTitle: The Young Elites
Author: Marie Lu
Series: The Young Elites
Publisher: Putnam Books for Young Readers
Published: October 7th, 2014
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5 out of 5)

Quick Look: This is not the typical book about the development of a hero. This is the story of how a villan came to be and I loved it. Continue reading

The Black Key by Amy Ewing

the-black-keyTitle: The Black Key
Author: Amy Ewing
Series: The Lone City
Publisher: HarperTeen
Published: October 4th, 2016
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5)

Quick Look: A solid conclusion to an enjoyable series. I really liked the fantasy elements that were introduced in the second book and continued in this one. I never really found myself in love with Ash and Violet, but I thought there was a little more to their relationship in this book. The external conflicts in this book were hit and miss, but I found myself interested in how everything would come together. Continue reading

The White Rose by Amy Ewing

the-white-roseTitle: The White Rose
Author: Amy Ewing
Series: The Lone City
Publisher: HarperTeen
Published: October 6th, 2015
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5)

Quick Look: I enjoyed The Jewel, but wasn’t blown away. I hoped The White Rose would give more information on the world the story is set in, and it did do that. It also explored the fantasy aspects a little more, which I was glad to read. The romance still felt stiff and sometimes the pacing was a little off, but it was a decent sequel that set up the conclusion well. Continue reading

The Jewel by Amy Ewing

the-jewelTitle: The Jewel
Author: Amy Ewing
Series: The Lone City
Publisher: HarperTeen
Published: September 2nd, 2014
Rating: ★★★☆☆

Quick Look: I had wavered on reading this series, worried that it would struggle to find a cohesive way to bring together a struggling world, a fight between classes, and a romance. In the end, it was an entertaining read but could have used a little more development of characters and relationships. Continue reading

Keep Me In Mind by Jaime Reed

keep-me-in-mindTitle: Keep Me In Mind
Author: Jaime Reed
Series: No Series
Publisher: Point
Published: April 26th, 2016
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5)

Quick Look: Unique characters, a promising storyline, and a lyrical flow come together to create a story about love and rediscovering yourself. Continue reading

Through to You by Lauren Barnholdt

through-to-youTitle: Through to You
Author: Lauren Barnholdt
Series: No Series
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: July 8th, 2014
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5 out of 5)

Quick Look:

I wanted a light, fast read that was going to make me happy. That’s what I got. Is the book perfect? No. But it did succeed in making me happy for the afternoon that I read it. And sometimes that’s just what you need from a book. Continue reading

Like a River Glorious by Rae Carson

like-a-river-gloriousTitle: Like a River Glorious
Author: Rae Carson
Series: The Gold Seer Trilogy
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Published: September 27th, 2016
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5)

Quick Look:

I just love everything Carson writes. Add in the fact that this, aside from Leah’s power, has an entirely real outlook on history, and I’m in love. I loved how Leah and her small group of friends grew and started a community that is filled with good people and how that group contrasts with the other people she meets. This is definitely a must-read book and series for me. Continue reading

The Stranger Game by Cylin Busby

the-stranger-gameTitle: The Stranger Game
Author: Cylin Busby
Series: No Series
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Published: October 25th, 2016
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5)

Quick Look:

I thought I had the story figure out before I started reading. But then Busby created two narrators who are entirely unreliable and everything I thought would happen changed. I was so thrown off for a majority of the novel, with my mind trying to come up with new answers as my theories were proven wrong. Continue reading

Rose & Thorn by Sarah Prineas

rose-thornTitle: Rose & Thorne
Author: Sarah Prineas
Series: Ash & Bramble Series
Publisher: HarperTeen
Published: October 18th, 2016
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5)

Quick Look:

Set fifty years after Ash & Bramble, this is a look at the Sleeping Beauty story that really twists the story around, but in an interesting and wonderful way. Rose has been protected her entire life, keeping her safe from falling into Story. Griff has been raised his entire life to defeat Story. I really enjoyed the different take on the Sleeping Beauty story, and I thought Rose was a spunky character with a lot of fight and strength. Continue reading