Book Review: Nightbird by Alice Hoffman

Image (c) Random House Children's Books

Nightbird by Alice Hoffman
Publication Date: March 10th, 2015
Format: eARC from Netgalley

An enchanting novel from bestselling author Alice Hoffman: a charmed New England village, a family secret, and a friendship destined to defeat a witch.

"Some things could only be found in Sidwell it seemed: pink apples, black owls, and my brother, James."

Twelve-year-old Twig's town in the Berkshires is said to hide a winged beast, the Monster of Sidwell, and the rumors draw as many tourists as the town's famed pink apple orchards. Twig lives in the orchard with her mysterious brother James and her reclusive mother, a baker of irresistible apple pies. Because of a family secret, an ancient curse, Twig has had to isolate herself from other kids. Then a family with two girls, Julia and Agate, moves into the cottage next door. They are descendants of the witch who put the spell on Twig's family. But Julia turns out to be Twig's first true friend, and her ally in trying to undo the curse and smooth the path to true love for Agate and James.

Book Review: Everbound by Brodi Ashton

Image (c) Simon & Schuster

Everbound (Everneath #2) by Brodi Ashton
Published: January 22nd, 2013
Format: Library Book

Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity — a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away.

Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen — and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself.

Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated — and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack — even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.

In this enthralling sequel to Everneath, Brodi Ashton tests the bonds of destiny and explores the lengths we’ll go to for the ones we love.

Book Review: Acorna's Quest by Anne McCaffrey and Margaret Ball

Image (c) HarperCollins Publishers

Acorna's Quest (Acorna #2) by Anne McCaffrey and Margaret Ball
Publication Date: December 2001
Format: Library Book - Hardback

"I must find my own kind!"

In all the universe of literature, there is surely no creature more wondrous, no being more beautiful, and no youth more adventurous than Acorna, the Unicorn Girl.

Found as an infant drifting alone in an escape pod in deep space, she was raised by three grizzled asteroid prospectors who hid her from the authorities, who wanted to cut off her "deformity" and make her "normal." Seeking refuge on the grim planet Kezdet, Acorna freed the enslaved children from the mines, winning their eternal gratitude.

Now Acorna has become a young woman, with all the youth's dreams and sorrows. She still has the tiny, translucent horn in the center of her forehead. She still has her "funny" feet and hands, her beautiful silver hair, as well as her miraculous ability to purify air and water, make plants grow, and heal human sickness. But Acorna has troubling dreams of a shining world with blue grass and green skies, and of a gentle folk who mind-speak by touching their horns together. She yearns for answers to questions about her past: Who taught her the alien language she has all but forgotten? Who gave her life and then abandoned her? Why was she left alone in a tiny escape pod?

With one of her "uncles," the gruff miner Calum, Acorna sets off on a quest to find her own kind. But even as the spaceship Acadecki sets off for unknown worlds, new developments back home are shaping Acorna's destiny. For a mysterious craft has appeared, piloted by the Linyaari, a gentle race with telepathic powers. These telepaths are roaming the galaxy spreading the alarm about the Khleev, terrible invaders devoted to torture and death. The Linyaari are also searching for a beloved infant they had given up for lost, long ago...

Anne McCaffrey's bestselling dragon stories are among the favorite fantasies of all time. In Acorna and Acorna's Quest, McCaffrey has been joined by fellow author Margaret Ball to create a continuing saga that will thrill readers f all ages. Here is a story for all those who feel, remember, or look forward to the magical dreams that live in the hearts of the young.

Book Review: Bones & All by Camille DeAngelis

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Bones & All by Camille DeAngelis
Publication Date: March 10th, 2015
Format: Physical ARC

Maren Yearly doesn’t just break hearts, she devours them.

Since she was a baby, Maren has had what you might call "an issue" with affection. Anytime someone cares for her too much, she can’t seem to stop herself from eating them. Abandoned by her mother at the age of 16, Maren goes looking for the father she has never known, but finds more than she bargained for along the way.

Faced with love, fellow eaters, and enemies for the first time in her life, Maren realizes she isn’t just looking for her father, she is looking for herself. The real question is, will she like the girl she finds?

I received an Advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher for the 'Bones & All Street Team' on Goodreads. I was not compensation for this review in any way. I'm just a reader/ reviewer who just happens to love to read.

Book Review: The Infinite by Lori M. Lee

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The Infinite (Gates of Thread and Stone #2) by Lori M. Lee
Publication Date: March 10th, 2015
Format: eARC from NetGalley

The walls of Ninurta keep its citizens safe.

Kai always believed the only danger to the city came from within. Now, with a rebel force threatening the fragile government, the walls have become more of a prison than ever.

To make matters worse, as Avan explores his new identity as an Infinite, Kai struggles to remind him what it means to be human. And she fears her brother, Reev, is involved with the rebels. With the two people she cares about most on opposite sides of a brewing war, Kai will do whatever it takes to bring peace. But she’s lost her power to manipulate the threads of time, and she learns that a civil war might be the beginning of something far worse that will crumble not only Ninurta’s walls but also the entire city.

In this thrilling sequel to Gates of Thread and Stone, Kai must decide how much of her humanity she’s willing to lose to protect the only family she’s ever known.

**WARNING: This review has spoilers for Gates of Thread and Stone. If you have not read the first book, I would highly recommend not reading any further. Unless if you don't mind spoilers... in that case, continue on. But for those who wish to remain unspoiled, turn away now til you finish reading the first book. For your convenience, the (non-spoiler) conclusion to this review will be bolded at the bottom.**

Also, thanks for NetGalley and Amazon Children's Publishing for an eARC of this book!

Book Review: Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M. Lee

Image (c) Skyscape Publishers

Gates of Thread and Stone (Gates of Thread and Stone #1) by Lori M. Lee
Publication Date: August 5th, 2014
Format: Physical copy (my own copy).

In the Labyrinth, we had a saying: keep silent, keep still, keep safe.

In a city of walls and secrets, where only one man is supposed to possess magic, seventeen-year-old Kai struggles to keep hidden her own secret—she can manipulate the threads of time. When Kai was eight, she was found by Reev on the riverbank, and her “brother” has taken care of her ever since. Kai doesn’t know where her ability comes from—or where she came from. All that matters is that she and Reev stay together, and maybe one day move out of the freight container they call home, away from the metal walls of the Labyrinth. Kai’s only friend is Avan, the shopkeeper’s son with the scandalous reputation that both frightens and intrigues her.

Then Reev disappears. When keeping silent and safe means losing him forever, Kai vows to do whatever it takes to find him. She will leave the only home she’s ever known and risk getting caught up in a revolution centuries in the making. But to save Reev, Kai must unravel the threads of her past and face shocking truths about her brother, her friendship with Avan, and her unique power.

Book Review: Archetype by M.D. Waters

Image (c) Penguin Publishing Group

Archetype (Archetype #1) by M.D. Waters
Publication Date: June 24th, 2014
Format: Physical book (my own copy).

In a future where women are a rare commodity, Emma fights for freedom but is held captive by the love of two men—one her husband, the other her worst enemy. If only she could remember which is which . . .

In the stunning first volume of a two-book series, Emma wakes with her memory wiped clean. Her husband, Declan—a powerful and seductive man—narrates the story of her past, but Emma’s dreams contradict him. They show her war, a camp where girls are trained to be wives, and love for another man. Something inside warns her not to speak of these things, but the line between her dreams and reality is about to shatter forever. 

Book Review: Forest of Sighs by Jennifer Murgia

Image (c) Spencer Hill Press

Forest of Whispers by Jennifer Murgia
Publication Date: September 9th, 2014
Format: Book (my own copy).

"This is who I am. I am no longer the simple girl hidden behind the safety of a make-believe forest. I am the story. I am the tall tale . . . I am the witch."

Raised by an old fortune-teller within the dark veil of the Bavarian Black Forest, Rune has learned two valuable lessons: only take from the forest that which you can use, and never, never look anyone in the eye in the village. For something terrible happened in the forest long ago... and now, the whispers of a long-dead mother with a vengeful secret have come haunting.

Forced to flee all she has ever known, Rune soon learns of a legacy she is bound to--one that is drenched in fear, witchcraft and murder--a birthright that stretches beyond the grave to the trees where Rune is no longer safe.